De Cicco Broccoli
Item Details
An Italian broccoli introduced to the United States in 1890. Compact 2-3' plants produce a 4" central head. After the central head is harvested, a second yield of edible side shoots will develop. It is quite variable in its maturity, which creates an extended harvest time—a quality home gardeners may appreciate.
- 48-85 days from transplant
- ±7,000 seeds/oz
- Organic
- Compact plant
- Heads grow to 4 inches
- Many side shoots/sprouts form after the central head is harvested
This variety works for:
- Fresh eating
- Steaming
- Boiling
- Baking
- Soup
- Freezing
Broccoli can be served fresh as an appetizer with dip or hummus, or tossed in a cold salad. Use fresh broccoli to top your pizzas or toss it in with an egg custard with sautéed bacon and onions for a quiche.
You can roast your broccoli with lemon and parmesan or add it to a casserole like oven-baked macaroni and cheese. The stems, which can be tough, work well for broccoli soup once they are peeled and cooked.
Growing Instructions
Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Plant out just before the last frost. Broccoli prefers cool temperatures and a regular supply of water. In many regions, it can be grown as both a spring and fall crop.
- Start Indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost
- Germination: 3-10 Days
- Plant Outdoors: 24” Apart
- Light: Full Sun
Ratings & Reviews
1 review
Slow growing main stalk but outstanding flavor.
by CL
I'm growing the De Cicco Broccoli this year for the first time. I've planted them outside in a raised bed and also in a high tunnel greenhouse. I started them from seed indoors and planted them as transplants. The plants in the greenhouse have grown to be huge with lots of huge leaves. The main stalk was very slow growing. I finally lost patience and harvested the main stalks when they were around 2" in diameter. I hope I will have a lot of side shoots to harvest before the end of this growing season. The unopened flowers of the flowerettes are very large compared to store bought. I steamed the broccoli I harvested. The color was a deep beautiful verdant green and the flavor was wonderful. Far better than even organic store bought broccoli. I will plant this again.