Brassica oleracea var. italica
Varieties
- Marathon
- De Cicco
- Waltham 29
Disease and Pest Notes
Prevent flea beetle damage by applying floating row cover at planting. Flea beetles can also be controlled with insecticides such as azadirachtin or pyrethrin. Cabbage worms can be controlled with Bacillus thuringiensis. Prevent disease with crop rotation and good sanitation.
Mulch Type
Wood chips after planting | Compost mulch | Plastic bio mulch
Propagation
Seed
Life cycle
Soil block size
1/4" - pot up to 2"
Light requirements and depth
1/4 - 1/2 inch deep or cover with vermiculite.
Seed germination temperature
Optimal soil temperature for germination is 65-75°F, but broccoli will germinate as low as 50°F.
Heat mat temp
70
Cool germination details
65-75°F
Culture and fertilization requirements
Very nutrient demanding. ***Square-foot vegetable beds rarely require additional fertilizers during the growing season – look into organic market garden requirements
Broccoli prefers well drained fertile soils high in organic matter. It will tolerate slightly alkaline soil, performing best in the 6.0 – 7.5 range. A general guideline is 2-3 lbs of 8-16-16 fertilizer over 100 sq ft of garden area two weeks before planting. If boron is not present in your soils, consider adding 1 Tbs per 100 sq ft. If soils are heavy or tend to be wet, a raised bed is recommended.
Magnesium deficiency is a problem on broccoli leaves during cool, wet periods and is characterized by interveinal chlorosis (yellowing between leaf veins) on older leaves. Correct this deficiency by spraying Epsom salts mixed at two tablespoons per gallon of water directly onto the plant. Repeated applications over a period of weeks may be necessary to correct the deficiency.
Broccoli is shallow rooted. Be careful with even shallow cultivation.
Succession interval - maximum
21
Harvesting details
Before flower buds open, cut center head. Hydrocool or ice as soon as possible. Harvest secondary side shoots regularly to encourage continued production.
Current Seed Start & Transplant Dates
Note: Seed starting and transplant dates do not always correlate one to one with dates shown below. Note correct start and expected transplant dates on the tag of the tray for seed germination. Adjust dates with plant tags on a yearly basis if necessary. 8 ounces of fertilizer is about 1 cup. Consider Sustane various NPK and Alfalfa Meal or Blood Meal for nitrogen.
| Seed Start to Transplant Days |
21 - 28 |
| Days to Maturity after Transplant |
40 - 47 |
| Days to Maturity Total |
68 |
| Succession Interval |
21 - 28 |
| Number of Plantings per Season |
2 Spring | 3 Fall |
| Number of Transplants per Plant Date |
8 ( 2 - 4 per variety ) |
| Square Feet of Bed Space per Plant Date |
18 |
| Linear Feet of Bed Space per Plant Date |
6 |
| Fertilizer per Plant |
1 ounce of Sustane 7 days before planting mixed into top. .5 ounce 28 days after planting high nitrogen low PK or Sustane. .5 ounce when broccoli size of quarter high nitrogen low PK or Sustane per plant. |
| Spring Expected Harvest Date Range |
04/05 to 07/01 |
| Fall Expected Harvest Date Range |
11/24 to 02/15 |
Athens
Franklin
Transplant Details: 18" - 24" grid
Direct Sow Dates ( if any )
Seed Saving
Polination Type
Insect Pollination.
Seed Collection
Dig plants and overwinter for brassica's. Replant in early spring. Plants flower by summer. In our area removing and replanting might not be necessary if temps don't get below 28°. Row cover or greenhouse can help.
Seed Viability Years
3 years
Seed Cleaning and Storage
Pull entire plants when most pods are brown and hang upside down in warm dry place. Place catch underneath. Flail and crush pods - small seeds.
Isolation Requirements
All Brassicas cross-pollinate. Bag plants. 1 mile distance if not bagging. Several plants in each bag as they require more than 1. Introduce pollinators into bags.
Variety Details
Variety Name
Marathon
Variety Description
Excellent for overwintering. This late variety is highly tolerant to cold. Grown successfully in the Northeast for late summer and fall crops, and over the winter in Florida and California.
Seed Type
Hybrid
Seed Vendors
Johnny's | 100 - $5.15
Pest Notes (variety)
Adhere strictly to a preventive program including: (1) long crop rotations with non-brassica crops, (2) clean starting mixes and outdoor seedbeds, and (3) strict sanitation practices. Johnny's Selected
Seeds only sells seed lots of broccoli that have tested negative for black rot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris) and black leg (Phoma lingam).
Repel flea beetles and root maggots on young seedlings by covering with floating row covers from day of planting. Treat flea beetles with insecticides such as pyrethrin or azadirachtin if heavy pressure is observed. For cabbage worms and loopers, use Bacillus thuringiensis. Cutworm prevention: Cultivate soil 2–4 weeks before planting to work in cover crops and destroy weeds.
Variety Name
De Cicco
Variety Description
A traditional Italian heirloom variety producing small, avg. 3–4" main heads projected well above the foliage followed by a large yield of side-shoot spears. Nonuniform in maturity, resulting in a long harvest period. Grow as later succession to BC1611 or Atlantis. Longer harvest period than other sprouting broccoli varieties, with more variation in shoot size. For spring or fall production. Pinching recommended to encourage heavier side-shoot production.
Seed Type
Open Pollinated
Seed Vendors
Johnny's | 100 - $5.15
Variety Name
Waltham 29
Variety Description
Sturdy 20" plants support 5-6" loose, dark blue green heads with medium to large beads and long stalks (hard to find with modern hybrids). Developed to withstand increasing cold for fall maturity. Heat-sensitive.
Seed Type
Open Pollinated
Special Notes
18" - 24"
Seed Vendors
High Mowing | 1/32oz $3.25
Pest Notes (variety)
High Mowing ensures all seed lots of this variety are independently tested for the diseases black rot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris) and black leg (Leptosphaeria maculans, anamorph Phoma lingam). Only seed lots that test negative for black rot and black leg are released for sale.