48 days from transplanting. The best for gradual harvests that begin early and continue all season, this Italian heirloom combines superior Certified Organic quality with delectable flavor. The result is an all-purpose broccoli that suits your family's need for this nutritious veggie without the hassle of huge harvests all at once.The central head on these 2- to 3-foot plants matures very quickly, and once cut is followed by numerous smaller side-shoots, which are ready for harvest at variable times continuing for many weeks. This is ideal for those of us who do not maintain enormous freezers full of frozen veggies! But if you DO like to freeze all or part of your harvest, Decicco is a fine choice, demonstrating great holding and storage ability. Decicco is an "open head" type, with long stalks that make it handy for finger food. Sweet, tender, and always dependable, this is a fine choice for the family vegetable garden! The worst problem most gardeners have with broccoli is being able to eat it all! A dozen or so plants will feed your family for the season, so you might want to plan successive plantings (or buy a bigger freezer!). A cool-weather crop, it can be grown in spring and fall everywhere, and even in winter in mild-weather areas. Sow seeds directly or transplant into the garden when they have 4 true leaves (about 8 weeks from germinating). Before planting, prepare the soil well, adding nitrogen if necessary and neutralizing heavily alkaline or acid soils. If planting in spring, plan to harvest before the temperature reaches 80 degrees; the heads will bolt in high heat. If planting in fall, start 10 to 12 weeks before first frost date. Space seeds or transplants 18 inches apart in rows 2 feet apart. Harvest the central head first, which will stimulate the production of numerous side-shoots and extend your harvest another few weeks. Pkt is 50 seeds. |
