Di Cicco Broccoli Seeds

Di Cicco Italian Heading Broccoli Heirloom Vegetable Seeds
Brassica oleracea
Listing is for 1 packet of approximately 100 seeds

'Di Cicco' is a fantastic type of broccoli that comes from Italy. It's known for producing small to medium-sized heads with lots of side shoots after the main head has been harvested. Heads are on average 4 inches across and have a nice green color. Harvest the head just before the flower buds start to open aka "bolt".

We have a very small window to grow traditional brassicas like broccoli and cauliflower in Florida. These crops bolt very easily when there is a hot day. Therefore, I grow brassicas during late fall, winter, and early spring. This can also be challenging because winter weather in Florida fluctuates so much. We have a cold day followed by a very warm day. Again, this triggers traditional brassicas to bolt. I find that if I have not harvested all of my broccoli/cauliflower by March, then its too late.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Sun: Full sun. In hot climates, plant in a spot that gets full morning sun with afternoon shade. 

Water: Keep the soil consistently moist

Fertilizer: Add some all purpose fertilizer into the planting hole when transplanting. Fertilize again every 4 weeks. 

When & How To Sow Seeds: For a spring crop, sow seeds indoors, in 4 inch pots, 10-12 weeks before your last spring frost date. Transplant after your last spring frost date. For a fall crop, sow seeds indoors, in 4 inch pots, 10-12 weeks before your target date of planting your fall garden. Hot climate gardeners - search your zipcode on www.plantmaps.com to view a chart with the max average high and low temperatures per month, in your area. Your target date to transplant is the first month in fall where the max average high temperature finally drops to 85F or below. Space broccoli plants 18 inches apart in rows that are 3FT apart. 

Germination: 5-15 days

Days To Maturity: 85 days after transplanting into the garden

How & When To Harvest: Harvest the entire head of broccoli once it forms and the flower buds are tight and unopened. Once the flower buds start to look like they are seperating, it is time to harvest. That is the biggest size the head of broccoli will get before it starts bolting (go into the flowering stage). Cut the head of broccoli off the stem. Allow the rest of the plant to remain because it will continue to produce side shoots.

Common Diseases: The most common disease when growing broccoli is clubroot, which causes swollen roots, wilting, and stunted growth. To manage it, rotate crops, raise soil pH with lime, remove infected plants and keep the garden clean to prevent its spread.

Common Pests: One of the most common pests when growing broccoli is the cabbage worm, which is green with white stripes down its back. Classic signs of a worm infestation include munched on leaves and finding little green, black, or orange balls which is the frass (poop) of these worms. You can hand pick them off your plants, but if the infestation is severe, spray with an organic worm treatment like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). 

Do I have a YouTube video tutorial on how to grow this? YES

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/R1Hfanp3mrY

Additional Tips/Information: N/A