Brassica oleracea - Sure to blow you away. This extra-early maturing broccoli produces impressively large, tightly beaded heads. The handsome, uniform plants sport uniquely coloured, powdery light blue foliage, which stretches above the strong-stemmed, densely packed heads. Good side shoot production will supply a continued harvest of delicious florets! Our most popular! Planting Instructions:Seed outdoors as soon as weather and soil conditions permit. Cover seed lightly with soil, 6-7 seeds per 1ft. of row. Average garden soil and a sunny location are ideal. Thin to 1ft. apart when 3 in. high. For earlier Broccoli start indoors 2-3 weeks in advance of intended date for moving the plants to the garden. Germinates best at 21°C in 7-10 days. Reduce temperature after germination to 15°C and provide additional light to help prevent stretching and to tone up plants before transplanting outside. Several sowings of Broccoli 10 days apart ensure a fresh supply into fall. Temperature ToleranceThe critical period for heat sensitivity in broccoli lasts just 10 days, during which time the growing point of the plant shifts from vegetative growth to flower bud initiation. This shift, not externally visible occurs 10 days before the appearance of a tiny crown in the center of the plant, or about 3-4 weeks after plants are set out. Temperatures above 35°C for more than 4 days during that critical period result in uneven, poorly shaped heads.
