Calabrese - Monclano F1 This variety is increasing in popularity every year. Calabrese (Green Sprouting Broccoli) has a much milder flavour than the purple and white sprouting types. The hybrid varieties produce a large, central, green head and once this has been harvested a second crop of smaller individual spears is produced where the leaf stem joins the main stem. Monclano is a club root resistant variety which produces a form, domed head with a good standing ability. Sow the seed from April to May, thinly in trays or two seeds to a cell in modules under glass at 13°C. Later sowings can be made in a seed bed in shallow drills 2cm deep in short rows. As soon as glasshouse seedlings show their first pair of leaves, prick off into trays 5cm apart or thin modules to one seedling per cell. Gradually harden off before planting out, spacing plants 45cm apart between plants and 45cm between the rows. Outdoor sowings should be thinned to 7-10cm apart , then once plants are 15cm tall , they can be lifted and transplanted to their final planting positions, spaced the same as detailed above. They will be ready to harvest from July to September. Keep plants well-watered during very dry weather especially as heads start to form.
