De Cicco, Broccoli Seeds
Key Attributes
De Cicco broccoli, known for its exceptional taste, is a popular heirloom variety of broccoli (Brassica oleracea) that hails from Italy. This Italian heirloom has been cultivated for generations, making it a favorite among gardeners and chefs alike. De Cicco broccoli is classified as a compact, semi-dwarf type of broccoli, and it is highly prized for its versatility in the kitchen and its relatively quick maturity.
De Cicco broccoli boasts a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a hint of nuttiness. Its tender, dark green florets are surrounded by a profusion of lush leaves. The compact plant typically reaches a height of 18-24 inches, making it suitable for smaller gardens or container growing. De Cicco is known for its relatively short days to maturity, typically taking around 48-65 days from seed sowing to harvest.
This broccoli variety is characterized by its vibrant, dark green color, which is indicative of its high nutrient content. De Cicco broccoli exhibits strong disease resistance, particularly against common broccoli ailments like downy mildew and clubroot, which can be a relief for growers. When properly cared for, De Cicco broccoli can yield a bountiful harvest of small to medium-sized heads, often producing side shoots after the main head is harvested. For optimal growth, it's recommended to sow De Cicco broccoli seeds in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. Plant the seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, spacing them about 18-24 inches apart to provide enough room for the plants to mature and thrive. Additionally, consistent watering and adequate fertilization can help ensure a successful De Cicco broccoli crop.
Key Attributes
Product Details
Weight
.008Plant Height
18-30"Botanical Name
Brassica oleracea var. italicaSeed Type
SeedAdditional Characteristics
High YieldingSeeds Per Gram
314Seeds Per Pound
142,400Row Spacing
3'Packet
250 SeedsSow Depth
1/4"Seeds Per Ounce
8,900Fruit Color
GreenBreed
Open-pollinatedSun
Full Sun / Partial ShadeMaturity
Late SeasonGrowing Conditions
Container FriendlyLife Cycle
AnnualSow Method
TransplantPlant Spacing
18"Categories
BroccoliGermination
5,6,7,8,9,10Days To Maturity (# Days)
48-65Seeds Per Acre
1.75 lbsComponents
Growing Instructions
Learning Download: How to Grow Broccoli
Broccoli is a hardy, cool-season vegetable bringing colorful green nutrients to the table. Broccoli is part of the Cole Crop family, which also includes cabbage, kohlrabi, kale and more. It can be grown twice a year, in the late spring and the fall.
Before Planting: Broccoli prefers a well-drained, fertile soil high in organic matter, and a pH of 6.0–7.5 with a consistent supply of moisture throughout the growing season. Irrigate regularly for best results. Broccoli does not generally do well in hot weather. The best success is with spring and fall crops.
Planting: Use early and midseason broccoli varieties in the Spring. Sow 2 seeds per cell or 3–4 seeds/in. in row flats. Seedlings should be ready to transplant in 3–4 weeks. If possible keep soil temperature at 80°F until germination, then reduce air temperature to about 60°F. Ensure good air circulation and light. Transplant outdoors 10–18″ apart in rows 18–36″ apart. Broccoli prefers cooler growing temperatures, between 55–75°F but will produce good crops under warmer, summer conditions. For a Fall crop, start seedlings indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting. as above in May and transplant to the garden in June–July. To ensure mature heads, seed the crop early in areas where heavy freezes occur early in the Fall. Successful broccoli crops can be grown where winters are rarely below 32°F. Transplants can be set out from September to February in these regions. Sow 3–4 seeds 12″ apart, ½” deep, rows 18–36″ apart, thinning to one plant in each group.
Watering: Broccoli likes cool soil, so adding grass clippings around the plants helps. Also, water deeply and often. When watering broccoli, do not get water on the developing heads. Some varieties of broccoli are heat tolerant, but still require adequate watering, such as 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.
Days to Maturity: Broccoli is ready to harvest when florets are tightly closed in the center but begin to loosen slightly around the edges. (50-80 days)
Harvesting: Before flower buds open, cut center head. Harvest secondary side shoots regularly to encourage continued production. If buds begin to show a yellow color, harvest immediately.
Tips: Repel flea beetles and root maggots on young seedlings by covering with floating row covers from day of planting. Treat flea beetles with pyrethrin or azadirachtin if heavy pressure is observed. For cabbage worms and loopers, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt.).
AVG. Seeding Rate: 1,000 seeds/83′, 50,000 seeds/acre spaced 7″ apart in rows 18″ apart.
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