How to Grow Broccoli
Broccoli
The word broccoli means 'little sprouts' in Italian. It is part
of the Cabbage family of vegetables which also includes
cauliflower, cabbages, Brussels sprouts, turnips and many of the
Asian greens.
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The variety to the left is Green Comet, one of the most
popular varieties of calabrese. Requires frost
protection when sown. |
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BROCCOLI QUICK GUIDE
Broccoli Folklore
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here
Latin Name
Brassica oleracea botrytis cymosa
Type
Half hardy perennial vegetable grown as an annual in the UK
Site and Soil
Broccoli prefers a heavy (not pure clay though) fertile
soil in full sun or semi-shade.
Plant to Harvest Time
Calabrese - 15 weeks
Other varieties 40 weeks
Yield
Calabrese 1kg (2.2 lb) per plant
Other varieties .5kg (1lb) per plant. |
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The words 'broccoli' and 'calabrese' are different varieties of the same vegetable.
In general terms, Calabrese produces green heads whereas broccoli
produces purple or white heads. The most common in the UK is
'calabrese' which annoyingly, is sold in some of the super markets as
'broccoli'.
How to Grow Broccoli - Which Variety
The table below lists the broccoli varieties recommended by GardenAction (click
on the variety names below for a picture).
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Variety
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Comments
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Arcadia F1
(calabrese) |
A firm head, quick-maturing and very reliable. Arcadia F1 is one
of the best varieties available. Sow
outside in succession from
early May onwards and expect to start harvesting two to three months later.
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Green
Comet F1 (calabrese) |
A quick maturing F1 hybrid. The green heads are large and tightly formed. Sow in
early April
giving frost protection for a month and expect to start harvesting two to three months later.
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| Early
Purple Sprouting Broccoli |
A hardy and prolific variety producing purple heads which can be
harvested from
mid March.
Sow the seeds in
mid April
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| Late
White Sprouting Broccoli |
Another
hardy and prolific cropper producing heads like small
cauliflower. Sow the seeds in
early May
and expect to harvest them
early April
onwards.
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First decide if you want to grow broccoli (smaller heads) or calabrese (larger
heads). Broccoli matures in spring from sowing made the previous year, whereas calabrese
types matures in mid to late summer from sowings made earlier in the same year.
Because
of the large differences in sowing to harvest times for different types of
broccoli, it is extra-important to examine the instructions on the seed
packets. That way you won't pick the wrong variety.
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