How to Grow Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica
Cool weather crop. Side shoots keep producing after main head.
Heritage & Origins
Native Region
The Mediterranean / Italy
Historical Context
“Bred from wild cabbage by the Etruscans as early as the 6th century BC. It was a favorite of the Romans—Pliny the Elder recorded that Roman cooks had already mastered several ways of preparing the heads with cumin and oil.”
Ancestral Meaning
A symbol of healthy discipline and complexity. Its name comes from the Italian 'broccolo', meaning 'the flowering crest of a cabbage'.
Did you know? A head of broccoli is actually thousands of tiny, un-opened flower buds! If you leave it in the garden too long, the 'head' will explode into a cloud of yellow blossoms.
Return on Investment
One broccoli plant produces roughly 3 lbs. Worth $7.47 vs a $2.99 seed cost.
Practical Maintenance
- Light: Full Sun (6+ hrs/day)
- Water: Moderate — water 1-2x per week
- Spacing: 2 sq ft per plant.
Champion Varieties
Lineages for your homestead goals
Waltham 29
The reliable standard for fall crops; produces large heads and numerous side shoots.
Di Cicco
An Italian heirloom that yields small-to-medium heads and produces Side shoots all summer.
Purple Sprouting
A spectacular variety that produces delicate purple spears over a long winter/spring season.
Romanesco
A visually stunning lime-green variety with fractal spirals and a rich, nutty flavor.
