Heirloom Vegetable. Broccoli has been cultivated for over 2000 years. This garden favourite is native to the Mediterranean but migrated throughout the world to become a major vegetable of choice for home gardeners. Broccoli are high in vitamins A and C, folic acid and iron. Interestingly, broccoli contains high levels of the reputed cancer fighting compound, sulforaphane. Green Sprouting is an old Italian variety that matures early and is surprisingly easy to grow. Large vigorous plants grow to 50 cm (20″) tall. Produces heavy crops of large, solid, central heads with numerous medium size lateral heads produced later in the season. Open pollinated. How to Grow 300 seed/gram. Plants mature quickly and grow best in cooler weather. Both early and late crops are possible. For early crops, start seeds indoors in a soil-less mix from late March to early April. Set out the transplants in late April and early May spacing them about 45 cm (18″) apart in rows 90 cm (3′) apart. Fertilizing is essential. Use a balanced NPK granular or 20-20-20 water soluble. Keep weeded and evenly watered. Broccoli may become top heavy as the heads form – staking may be required. Harvest the main head when the buds are tight and compact, well before flowering. Cut the centre stalk at an angle below the main head and avoid damaging the side shoots. This encourages more heads to develop and will prolong the harvest. Flowering will signal an end to head production. One packet sows approx. 20 m (66’) of row when thinned to a 40-50 cm (16-18”) spacing.
