Broccoli
Seed # 24
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 24
- Seed Name
- Broccoli
- Variety
- Green Sprouting Calabrese
- Category
- Vegetable
- Plant Family
- Brassicaceae
- Plant Type
- Heading/sprouting broccoli
- Planting Method
- Direct Sow or Transplant
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- Mar 24
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Aug 10
- Plantable Months
- March, April, May, June, July, August
- Indoor Start
- Mar 24 – Apr 7
- Direct Sow
- Apr 15 – Jul 20
- Transplant
- Apr 15 – Aug 10
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- 6 weeks
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- Not recorded
- Germination Days
- 10–14 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- 70–90 days
- Succession Planting
- 14 days
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- 60-70°F
- Planting Depth
- 1/4-1/2 in
- Plant Spacing
- 18-24 in
- Row Spacing
- 24-36 in
- Thin-To Spacing
- 18 in
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun; tolerates partial shade
- Water Needs
- About 1-2 in/week; keep soil consistently moist
- Soil Preference
- Fertile, well-drained soil high in organic matter; pH about 6.0-7.5
- Minimum Container Size
- 12+ in diameter/deep
- Plant Height
- 24-30 in
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Annual
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- Yes
- Heat Tolerant
- No
- Drought Tolerant
- No
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- No
Garden Uses
Container Culinary Pollinator Seed SavingCompanion Planting
| Plant | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nasturtiums | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Nasturtiums | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Arugula | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Broccoli | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Brussel Sprouts | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Cabbage | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Kale | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Radish | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Radish | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Radish | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Radish | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Sage | Pest Deterrent | UMN Extension cites research showing sage reduced diamondback moth populations on brassicas. |
| Thyme | Pest Deterrent | UMN Extension cites research showing thyme reduced diamondback moth and helped reduce cabbage-worm damage in broccoli. |
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- University of Minnesota Extension; San Diego Seed Company; Terroir Seeds/Underwood Gardens; Ferry-Morse; Redford frost-date data
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Start indoors and transplant for spring; direct sow for fall
Original Start Planting Date: Mar 13 – Mar 27
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Apr 15 – May 1; Jul 1 – Jul 20
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 55–90 days
Container Friendly: Yes; ~20 in deep or larger
Pollinator Friendly: Low unless allowed to flower
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary/nutritious vegetable; not medicinal
Perennial?: No; grown as annual (botanically biennial)
Succession / Reusable Notes: Sow every 3–4 weeks for staggered harvests; leave plant after main head for side shoots.
Zone 6B Notes: Excellent spring and fall crop; fall may be easier; tolerates light frost.
Companion Plants: Alyssum, nasturtium, borage, poppies
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Rotate away from recently grown Brassicas; watch cabbage worms/caterpillars; keep moisture consistent
Sources: University of Minnesota Extension; San Diego Seed Company; Terroir Seeds/Underwood Gardens; Ferry-Morse; Redford frost-date data
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Excellent spring and fall crop for Southeast Michigan. Start spring plants indoors, and start a fall crop in early-to-mid July for transplanting later in summer.
Germination: Keep seed-starting mix moist; cooler growing temperatures after emergence produce sturdy transplants.
Harvest: Cut the central head while buds are tight and before yellow flowers open; continue harvesting side shoots.
Seed Saving: Broccoli is biennial for seed production and crosses readily with compatible Brassica oleracea crops; isolation is needed for pure seed.
Special Care: Protect from cabbage worms and flea beetles. Heat can reduce head quality; fall crops are often excellent in Michigan.
Companion: Sage [Pest Deterrent] — UMN Extension cites research showing sage reduced diamondback moth populations on brassicas.
Companion: Thyme [Pest Deterrent] — UMN Extension cites research showing thyme reduced diamondback moth and helped reduce cabbage-worm damage in broccoli.
Companion: Onion [Pest Deterrent] — UMN Extension cites an Iowa study where onion helped reduce cabbage looper and imported cabbageworm damage in broccoli.
Companion: Nasturtium [Pest Deterrent] — UMN Extension cites an Iowa study where nasturtium helped reduce cabbage looper and imported cabbageworm damage in broccoli.
Research Source: Ferry-Morse — https://ferrymorse.com/products/organic-broccoli-green-sprouting-calabrese — 10-14 day germination, 70-90 day maturity, 12+ inch container, 24-30 inch height and water needs
Research Source: Michigan State University Extension — https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/how_to_grow_broccoli — Michigan broccoli culture and cool-season suitability
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-broccoli — spring and fall sowing timing and frost tolerance
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/gardening-minnesota/companion-planting-home-gardens — research-supported companion effects of sage, thyme, onion and nasturtium on brassica pests
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]