1 Organic Broccoli Di Ciccio Plant in a 80mm biodegradable peat pot.
This plant is grown from Organic Broccoli Seed, potted in Organic Mineralised Nutrient Rich (Blood bone and fish free (vg)) Soil, Fertilised with Compost (vg), Worm castings (poop) and Kelp Powder (read more about the soil).
The pot reduces plastic waste and transplant shock (I commit to zero waste where I can, everything is recycled or reused or upcycled). There is no transplanting required, plant directly into the soil in its pot.
Broccoli Di Ciccio
Brassica oleracea
Italian heirloom from 1890. A standard variety producing blue/green heads to 10cm followed by numerous side shoots. Long harvesting. Great general purpose variety.
De Cicco is an old reliable open pollinated European Broccoli variety! Excellent for freezing. Good quality, high yields! Compact plants grow up to 3 feet and will produce a 3 to 4 inch bluish-green main head. After central head is cut, many medium sized side shoots will take its place! Non uniform maturity begins in 50 days and extends up to 90 days.
The Italian heirloom broccoli De Cicco first became available to gardeners in 1890. However, the plant from which modern broccoli is derived first grew in the wild in the Mediterranean region and in Asia Minor. Broccoli gradually spread to the rest of Europe and to the New World, where Thomas Jefferson included this strange new vegetable in his experimental garden. The Italians appreciated it so much that it got the name "Italian asparagus."
Keep the young plants watered and remove weeds. Mulch helps discourage weeds and regulate soil temperature, and several applications of fertilizer or compost may also be needed. If several nights of below freezing temperatures are expected, cover the plants. If they become topheavy as they grow, provide a stake for support.
Harvest the main head while it is still tight, and before the florets begin to turn yellow; cut at least 6" of the stem. Side shoots will continue to develop along the stem, and can be harvested as well; the plant will keep producing as long as weather conditions are favorable.