How to grow Broccoli (Calabrese Green Magic)

Brassica oleracea Italica Group

🥕 Vegetable 🌱 Grown each year

The familiar green-headed broccoli, heat-tolerant and quick. Side shoots keep coming after the main head is cut.

At a glance: Sow early March to late April, harvest from late June.

When to sow, plant and harvest

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Sow indoors

Plant

Harvest

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

Early March – late April · 6 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow Seeds Indoors
Sow in modules or small pots of seed compost under cover.
7–14 days after “Sow Seeds Indoors” · Mid March
Check Germination
Seedlings should appear in 7–14 days. If sown outdoors, thin to 40 cm apart when big enough to handle.
14–21 days after “Check Germination” · Late March – early April
Pot On Seedlings
Move seedlings into 9 cm pots (or keep in modules) when they have their first true leaves.
Mid April · 4 days after the last spring frost
Harden Off
Stand plants outside by day for 7–10 days before planting out.
Late April – late May · 2 weeks after the last spring frost
Plant Out
Plant out 40 cm apart and water in well.
0–3 days after “Plant Out” · Late April – early May
Net Against Pests
Cover with fine insect mesh or netting straight after planting to keep off pigeons, cabbage white caterpillars and flea beetles.
60–81 days after “Plant Out” · Late June – mid July
Start Harvesting
Cut the main head while buds are tight, then pick side shoots for weeks.
40–70 days after “Start Harvesting” · Early August – early September
Finish and Clear
Clear the remains to the compost heap once cropping ends.