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De Cicco is an Italian heirloom from the 1890s known for a modest central head followed by a generous flush of side shoots—perfect for multiple small harvests instead of one glut. Tender stems and leaves are as usable as the heads, boosting vitamins A, C, and K on the plate. Broccoli enjoys cool weather and steady moisture; this variety tolerates some heat better than many. Stagger plantings for a long season of pickable florets. If you like grazing the garden for dinner, De Cicco keeps handing you handfuls.
Heading broccoli
- Start broccoli seed indoors 5-7 weeks before your anticipated planting date. Optimum soil temperature for seed germination is 50-85 degrees. Harden off plants by exposing them to an increasing number of hours outdoors each day 1-2 weeks prior to transplanting time. Set transplants in the garden 2-4 weeks before average last spring frost. Direct seeding is only recommended for areas with a long, cool spring season that will allow full maturity before summer heat sets in. For a fall harvest, plant transplants about 70 days before average first frost. Broccoli can be successfully direct seeded for a fall harvest 90-100 days before average first frost date. Broccoli is vert frost tolerant.
Sprouting broccoli
(Spring rapini) - start broccoli seed indoors 5-7 weeks before your anticipated planting date. Optimum soil temp for seed germ is 50-85 degrees. Harden off plants 1 week prior to transplanting time. Set transplants in the garden 2-4 weeks before average last spring frost. Or, direct seed outside 2-4 weeks before average last frost date. Spring raab can be sown again mid-to-late-summer for fall harvest.
Scientific name: brassica oleracea
Days to maturity: 60-90
Seed depth: 1/2"
Days to sprout: 3-10
Plant spacing: 18-24"
Row spacing: 36"
Light requirements: sunny
Plant height: 24-36"
Life cycle: annual
Frost hardy: yes
