Calabrese Broccoli Seeds (Organic)

Calabrese Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) is an Italian heirloom that produces large, bluish-green, close-beaded central heads up to 8 inches, followed by numerous side shoots for an extended harvest. Brought to North America by Italian immigrants in the late 1880s, it bears until frost and suits both home gardens and market growing, fresh or frozen.

At a glance

• Botanical name: Brassica oleracea (Botrytis group)
• Type: Heirloom, hardy annual, organic
• Days to maturity: 60 to 90 days
• Sun: Partial sun
• Planting depth: 1/4 inch
• Spacing after thinning: 1 to 2 feet
• Germination: 4 to 20 days at 75 to 85°F soil
• Seeds per packet: about 100 (about 34,808 per 1/4 lb bulk)

Best for

• Spring and fall gardens, thanks to cold tolerance
• Cooler climates where broccoli thrives
• Gardeners who want a long cut-and-come-again harvest
• Home or market growing, fresh or frozen
• Steaming, roasting, soups, and casseroles

How to grow

Sow about 1/4 inch deep in rich, well-draining soil and grow in full to partial sun, spacing plants 1 to 2 feet apart. Harvest the central head while the beads are tight and deep green, then keep cutting the side shoots that follow to extend the harvest until frost. Regular picking encourages more shoots and a continuous supply.

Flavor profile

The florets are mild and slightly nutty with a tender bite that holds up to steaming, roasting, and cooking into soups and casseroles.

About Grow Organic

Grow Organic supplies non-GMO, certified organic seeds for gardeners who want flavorful, productive harvests over a long season.