Broccoli – Green Sprouting Calabrese

Description

Green Sprouting Calabrese Broccoli (A.K.A. Early Italian Green Sprouting)

50 Seeds per pack

Days to Maturity: 70–90 Days

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

Botanical Name: (Brassica oleracea)

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Green Sprouting Calabrese Broccoli is a beloved Italian heirloom, brought to America in the 1880s and formally introduced to the seed trade between 1914 and 1918. This hardy, old-fashioned variety remains a staple in gardens for its vigor, extended harvest period, and exceptional flavor. Exceptionally frost-tolerant and thriving in cool climates, plants grow tall—30 to 36 inches—upright and leafy. The primary central head is bluish-green, typically 5–8″ across, with numerous side shoots continuing to emerge after the main harvest.

Dark green, tightly packed florets and sweet, slightly earthy flavor make this variety well-suited to stir-fries, roasted dishes, or simple sautés with garlic and olive oil. Even the stalks, buds, and leaves are edible and delicious. Young seedlings harvested as microgreens add tender texture and bright, fresh flavor to sandwiches and pastas.

Green Sprouting Calabrese stores well when frozen, making it an excellent choice for those wishing to enjoy fresh, homegrown broccoli well into the winter months. Rich in calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, folate, and vitamins A, B6, C, E, and K, its a healthy and flavorful addition to the cool-season garden!

Disease Resistance: Known for its general resistance to diseases.

Planting Instructions for Green Sprouting Calabrese Broccoli Seeds

When to Plant:
Start Green Sprouting Calabrese 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. Green Sprouting Calabrese 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 Green Sprouting Calabrese 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. Ensure generous spacing for air circulation and maximum side-shoot production.

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:
Green Sprouting Calabrese 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, Green Sprouting Calabrese broccoli seeds remain viable for up to 5 years. For purity, isolate from other brassicas to prevent cross-pollination.

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