De Cicco (Organic) Italian Broccoli Seeds
De Cicco produces a modest main broccoli head followed by side shoots. Cut tight buds promptly and keep checking the plant for later pickings.
Packet: 50+ Seeds
Planting at a glance
- Season: Cool season
- Start: Start indoors 4–6 weeks before transplanting
- Seed depth: ¼–½ inch
- Germination: Usually 4–7 days around 65–70°F
- Final spacing: Space plants about 12–18 inches apart; rows about 24 inches apart
- Light: Full sun
- Harvest planning: Typical crop window: 50–70 days from transplanting to a first head; side shoots may follow
When to plant
Plant during your local cool growing season. In colder regions, use spring or late-summer/fall sowings and allow enough growing time before hard freezes. South Florida outdoor window: October–January.
How to plant
- Prepare loose, well-drained soil or a clean seed-starting mix. Start indoors 4–6 weeks before transplanting.
- Sow ¼–½ inch deep. Keep the seedbed evenly moist until seedlings emerge. Then water when the soil needs it, allowing excess water to drain.
- Thin or transplant to the listed final spacing. Give seedlings sufficient light and check moisture as roots establish.
How to harvest
Cut the main head while buds remain tight. Leave the plant if the variety produces harvestable side shoots.
Aunt E’s tip: Check heads often as they approach maturity; opening yellow flowers mean you have waited too long.
Growing notes and sources
Timing is a planning range, not a guaranteed harvest date. Temperature, moisture, variety and season affect the result. Count from the sowing or transplanting point stated above.
Seed badges at a glance
- H
- Heirloom
- ★
- Hybrid
- OG
- Organic seed
- CT
- Cool season
- WS
- Warm season
- FS
- Full sun
- P
- Container friendly
- SS
- Small space
- CC
- Cut and come again
- FH
- Frequent harvest
- LG
- Needs light to germinate
- SP
- Spicy / hot
More seed codes
- IN
- Start indoors
- SH
- Partial or afternoon shade
- ST
- Support or trellis helpful
- D
- Dwarf
- B
- Bush habit
- V
- Vining or climbing
- SV
- Shorter vines
- SF
- Small fruit
- LC
- Large container
- F
- Fast harvest
- FL
- Flowers
- PW
- Pollinator interest
- PL
- Check pollination needs
- MX
- Seed mix
- DR
- Deep root space
- WD
- Well-drained soil
- DL
- Daylength sensitive
- LS
- Long growing season
- TR
- Tree crop
CC means cut and come again; FH means frequent harvest. Follow the crop instructions for what to harvest and when. OG appears only for documented organic seed. Codes are shortcuts; product details explain growing needs.
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