Broccoli – Waltham 29

Description

50 Seeds per pack

Waltham 29 Broccoli (A.K.A. Early Green Waltham 29)

Days to Maturity: 74–85 Days

Sun Requirements: Full sun (6–8 hours); tolerates partial shade in hot climates to prevent bolting.

Botanical Name: (Brassica oleracea)

Developed around 1950 by the University of Massachusetts at the Waltham Field Station, Waltham 29 was bred specifically to flourish in the cool New England climate. This dependable heirloom quickly earned its reputation for reliability and productivity in fall plantings and remains a gardener favorite to this day. Thanks to its uniform growth, firm heads, and excellent post-harvest quality, it has also become one of the most popular heirloom broccoli varieties among market growers.

Compact and hardy, plants reach 20–24″ tall and produce central heads ranging from 4–8″ in diameter, with deep green to bluish hues and a firm, uniform texture. Once the main head is harvested, the plant continues to yield plentiful side shoots for up to two months, offering a long and productive harvest window.

Well-suited to chilly springs and cooler growing seasons, it thrives in full sun but tolerates light shade. With its mild, tender flavor, Waltham 29 excels in fresh salads, light steaming, roasting, or hearty soups and stews. It also freezes well when blanched and can even be grown indoors as sprouts or microgreens.

Packed with fiber, potassium, and vitamins A and C, plus a touch of calcium, Waltham 29 Broccoli offers a mix of flavor and nourishment for any table!

Planting Instructions for Waltham 29 Broccoli Seeds

When to Plant:
Start Waltham 29 broccoli seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last expected frost for a spring crop. For a fall harvest, sow seeds indoors 12–14 weeks before your first fall frost. Transplant seedlings into the garden once they are 4–6 weeks old and hardened off. Outdoors, broccoli can be direct-seeded 2–3 weeks before the last spring frost, or in mid- to late summer for a fall crop. Sow in succession every few weeks for a steady harvest. Avoid planting in midsummer heat.

Where to Plant:
Choose a location in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Waltham 29 broccoli prefers a slightly alkaline pH between 6.0 and 7.0. If needed, lime the soil the previous fall to adjust pH and prevent club root. Enrich the planting area with compost or well-rotted manure, worked into the top 6 inches of soil. Avoid planting in the same spot brassicas were grown within the last three years.

How to Plant:
Sow Waltham 29 seeds ¼–½ inch deep in seed trays, pots, or directly in the garden. Thin indoor seedlings to one per cell or pot after emergence. Transplant seedlings outdoors when they reach 4–6 inches tall and have 4–6 true leaves. Set transplants slightly deeper than they were growing before. Space plants 12–18 inches apart in rows 24–36 inches apart. For compact varieties, space as close as 12 inches; for sprouting broccoli or larger types, such as purple sprouting, allow up to 30 inches.

Growing Tips:
Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy, watering deeply 1–2 times per week, depending on weather. Avoid wetting the developing heads. Apply ½ cup of high-nitrogen fertilizer (such as 21-0-0) per 10 feet of row about 4 weeks after transplanting. Add another ¼ cup when heads begin forming. Mulch with straw or compost to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Use row covers to protect from cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles.

Harvesting:
Harvest the central head when it is fully formed but still tight, cutting 5–6 inches below the head. Continue watering and fertilizing after the main harvest to encourage development of smaller side shoots. Harvest regularly to extend production over several weeks. Fall crops tend to yield larger, more flavorful heads than spring crops. If buds begin to open or turn yellow, harvest immediately.

Saving Seeds:
Romanesco broccoli produces seed in its second year, so leave at least one healthy plant unharvested to flower and set seed. After yellow flowers appear, long green pods will begin to form—these contain the seeds. Allow the pods to fully mature and dry on the plant. For easier handling, pull the plant and hang it upside down to finish drying.

Once crisp, gently twist the pods open over a sheet of white paper to collect the tiny seeds. Store in a labeled envelope in a cool, dry place. We also offer seed-saving envelopes—an easy, tidy way to label your varieties and keep everything organized, season after season. Properly stored, Waltham 29 broccoli seeds remain viable for up to 5 years. For purity, isolate from other brassicas to prevent cross-pollination.

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