Choosing Broccoli Varieties

Broccoli comes in many varieties, each offering unique features suited to different growing conditions. From the classic Green Calabrese to the flavorful Sweet Baby Broccoli, there’s a wide range of broccoli types that cater to both early and late-season harvests. Choosing the right one from broccoli varieties ensures a productive crop with great taste, whether you’re planting in spring or fall. Explore these options to find the best fit for your garden’s needs and enjoy a plentiful harvest of this nutritious vegetable.


Good Source of Info On Broccoli Varieties

For excellent info on the best broccoli varieties by state go to the vegetable variety data collection project at Cornell University - www.vegvariety.cce.cornell.edu. We urge you to join this valuable site and contribute your own ratings of varieties.
 

SPRING BROCCOLI

Ferry-Morse Organic Seeds 3198 Broccoli - De Ciccio 1.25 Gram Packet

by Ferry-morse

DeCicco: This variety grows big center heads as well as lots of smaller side shoots. A late maturing type, it is both tasty and productive. It produces a good fall crop also. Seed packets hold 1.5 grams of seed, sufficient to plant a row of about 150 feet at the specified spacing. Plants will be ready to pick 90 days from when the seeds sprout.

 

 

 

Green Calabrese Broccoli 500 Seeds-GARDEN FRESH!

by Hirts: Seed; Vegetable

  • Heirloom
  • Hardy Annual
  • Brought to the US by Italian immigrants at the turn of the century
  • Days to Maturity: 60-90
  • Full Sun

Dark green plant with a blue-green head. Plant remains productive after harvest of the head, continuing to produce many side shoots until a hard freeze. For fresh use and freezing. Loves cool weather. Does best when transplanted outside mid-spring or late summer. During germination, keep entire seedbed evenly moist. Harvesting tips. Harvest main head at its peak size. Just before the flowers open. Side shoots will develop.

 

Sweet Baby Broccoli 50 Seeds - Sweeter than Broccoli!

by Hirts: Seed; Vegetable

  • Sweet Baby Broccoli, Similar to Broccolini
  • Nutritionally, it is high in vitamin C but also contains vitamin A, calcium, folate and iron
  • Most common cooking methods include sauteeing, steaming, roasting, boiling, and stir frying
  • 50 Seeds


Sweet Baby Broccoli, Similar to Broccolini. Broccolini is a green vegetable resembling broccoli. Although often mistakenly identified as young broccoli, it is actually a natural hybrid of the cabbage family Brassica oleracea, a cross between broccoli and Chinese Kale. It is generally agreed that broccolini has a sweeter flavor than broccoli.


The name Broccolini was first conceived of, strangely enough, in the oval office, by Richard Nixon, who when asked by Attorney General John N. Mitchell, who asked "Is that an asparagus in your ear No, it's broccolini." Today, you can find Broccolini brand baby broccoli throughout the United States and Canada.


The entire vegetable as sold, including the yellow flowers seen in the photograph below, may be eaten. Most common cooking methods include sauteeing, steaming, roasting, boiling, and stir frying. Nutritionally, it is high in vitamin C but also contains vitamin A, calcium, folate and iron.


Broccoli Raab Seeds - Super Rapini

by Renee's Garden

  • This Italian heirloom broccoli is grown for its tender shoots with small heads.
  • Please start these seeds directly in your garden don't start them indoors.
  • Make successive sowings for a long harvest.
  • This is a cool season vegetable for the best taste.

Delicious and early harvesting Italian heirloom greens with piquant flavor. A Mediterranean specialty for great gourmet cooking. Renee's Italian supplier's best selection.

Plant In:Feb - May / Aug. - Sept.| Sun/Shade: Full Sun| Plant Depth: 1/2" / Space Seeds: 2" | Days to Germinate: 7-10 Days | Days to Harvest: Approx. 60

 

Burpee Green Goliath Broccoli Seeds - 1 gram

by Hirts: Seed; Vegetable

  • Full Sun
  • Mature Height: 2-3'
  • Days to Maturity: 53


Broccoli, Green Goliath. Large headed, tight budded, blue-green variety. Burpee Exclusive. Customer Favorite! Bred especially for the home gardener, to give an early and extended harvest. Large headed, tight budded, blue-green center heads mature over a three-week period, not all at once. Good side shoots follow after center head is harvested. Ready to start picking about 55 days after plants are set or thinned in garden. GARDEN HINTS: For early start, sow seeds indoors about 6 weeks before outdoor planting time in a sunny area or under plant lights. Sow indoors in late winter or early spring for first crop and then again in summer for a fall crop. Grows best in cool weather and full sun.

 

Ferry-Morse Seeds 2029 Broccoli - Barbados Hybrid 125 Milligram Packet

by Ferry-morse

George’s Best (Barbados) Hybrid: A spoof of former president George Bush’s opinion of broccoli, this vigorous Barbados hybrid is mildew-tolerant. It produces deep blue-green heads, even in very warm areas. Flavorful and vitamin-rich, a packet of seeds plants a row about 15 feet long if seeds are planted at specified spacing. It takes 60 to 70 days before the broccoli is mature enough to pick.

  • 60-70 Days to Harvest
  • Plant 1/2-inch Deep, 3-foot Row Spacing & 2-foot Plant Spacing


FALL BROCCOLI

One of the best broccoli varieties for fall is Waltham 29. Saga has good tolerance for late summer heat

Waltham 29 Broccoli Seeds - Brassica Oleracea Var. Botrytis - 0.5 Grams - Approx 150 Gardening Seeds - Vegetable Garden Seed

by Generic Seeds

  • Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
  • 0.5 Grams: Approx 150 Seeds
  • Germination Rate: 85% - Purity: 99% - Country of Origin: USA
  • Days Until Harvest: 85


The Waltham variety of broccoli is a cold resistant plant that produces medium to large heads. A good variety for fall planting. Waltham broccoli plants can grow up to 2 feet tall.

 

Broccoli Seeds - 'Early Fall Rapini' Vegetable Seed Packet (500 Seeds)

by Everwilde Farms, Inc.

An Italian specialty used in salads and light cooking, Early Fall Rapini produce good yields of broccoli raab. Zesty, mustard-like flavor! This early bolting variety produces tender turnip-like leafy flower shoots that are harvested and bunched just as the first flowers begin to open. Adapted well for early fall planting and winter harvest in the Southern U.S. Plants grow 18 to 24 inches tall.

 

 

 

SPROUTING BROCCOLI

The best sprouting varieties, which produce no main head but lots of sprouts, are DeCicco and Green Sprouting Calabrese.


Ferry-Morse Organic Seeds 3017 Broccoli - Green Sprouting Calabrese 1.25 Gram Packet

by Ferry-morse

  • USDA Organic
  • Guaranteed To Grow
  • 70-90 Days to Harvest
  • Plant 1/2-inch Deep, 3-foot Row Spacing & 2-foot Plant Spacing
  • Cool Weather Crop



Frequently Asked Questions About Broccoli Varieties



What is the best broccoli variety to grow?

When it comes to selecting the best broccoli variety to grow, it ultimately depends on your climate and growing season.


Below are some top choices:

  1. Green Magic – An early-maturing calabrese variety with tightly-packed heads and lots of side shoots. It's known for being easy to grow and reliable.

  2. Eastern Crown – Great for disease resistance and performs well in various climates.

  3. Heat-Tolerant Varieties – Varieties like Flash, Green Emperor, and Imperial thrive in warmer conditions.

  4. Sprouting Broccoli – Consider Purple Sprouting or Green Sprouting Calabrese for continuous harvests.

  5. Purple Peacock – Known for its purple heads and tender side shoots, this variety adds a splash of color to your garden.

  6. Romanesco – A visually striking broccoli variety with a nutty flavor, perfect for adding variety to your meals.

  7. De Cicco – A compact, heirloom variety known for its fantastic flavor and productivity, especially in cooler climates.

  8. Spigariello Liscia – An Italian heirloom variety that's grown for its tender leaves and shoots, offering a unique take on traditional broccoli.


For gardeners looking to grow types of broccoli plants that provide reliable yields, varieties like Green Goliath and De Cicco are also excellent options. These varieties are well-suited for both beginners and experienced growers, offering hearty crops and versatility in the kitchen.


How do you choose the right broccoli variety?

When selecting the right broccoli variety, it’s important to focus on a few key characteristics to ensure freshness and quality:

  1. Color: Look for bright green to bluish-green florets, as these indicate high nutrient content. Avoid broccoli with yellowing or browning, as this may signal age or spoilage.

  2. Firmness: Choose broccoli with tightly packed, firm florets and a sturdy stalk. Broccoli with limp or soft stalks is past its prime.

  3. Appearance: Opt for compact clusters of florets rather than loose or open ones. If the florets are starting to bloom into flowers, the broccoli is too old and will be less tender.

  4. Smell: Fresh broccoli should have a mild, earthy aroma. Strong or unpleasant smells are signs of age or spoilage.

  5. Avoid Yellow Flowers: If the broccoli has yellow flowers, it's passed its peak, and the texture might be undesirable.


To store broccoli, keep it in a plastic bag or container in the fridge and use it within 3-5 days for the best flavor and texture.


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