Not sure which broccoli plant varieties actually thrive in your garden? You’re not alone. Broccoli comes in all shapes and sizes—some tough it out in cool springs, others shine in summer’s heat. From the classic Green Calabrese to the flavorful Sweet Baby Broccoli, each variety brings something different to the table. Picking the right one means fewer headaches, more harvest. Whether you’re planting in spring or fall, you’ll find an option that fits your schedule and your soil.
What Types of Broccoli Are There?
Broccoli isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some types—like sprouting broccoli—keep producing shoots all season long. Others, like Calabrese or Waltham, form a big central head and prefer cool weather. Below, we break down the main types so you can pick what fits your garden, your timing, and your dinner plate.
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.
Calabrese vs Waltham Broccoli: Which One’s Right for You?
Ever wondered if one broccoli variety is better for spring and the other for fall? You’re not wrong to ask. Jeff would say: “Pick the plant that matches your weather—not just the picture on the packet.”
Here’s the easy side-by-side:
| Feature | Green Calabrese Broccoli | Waltham 29 Broccoli |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Heirloom, sprouting type | Open-pollinated, fall variety |
| Best Planting Time | Spring or late summer (cool weather) | Fall planting (holds up well in cold) |
| Days to Maturity | 60–90 days | Around 85 days |
| Climate Strengths | Cool-hardy, tolerates frost | Cold-tough and takes summer heat like a champ |
| Main Head | Medium to large, blue-green | Medium to large |
| Side Shoots | Lots of them after main harvest | Some—don’t expect a second wave like Calabrese |
| Growth Habit | Sprouts until frost says stop | Bushy, up to 2 feet tall |
| Best Use | Fresh, freezing, or continual harvest | Steady fall harvesting |
| Soil & Sun | Full sun, well-draining soil | Full sun, easygoing with soil types |
| Seeds | 500 seeds per packet (Hirt’s) | 150 seeds per 0.5g (many suppliers) |
| Harvest Tip | Snip the head early—let the side shoots roll | Grab it before it blooms |
Types of Broccoli
SPRING BROCCOLI
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.
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
- 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.
SPROUTING BROCCOLI
The best sprouting varieties, which produce no main head but lots of sprouts, are DeCicco and Green Sprouting Calabrese.
