Quick Heading Calabrese

This slightly unusual variety makes heads about 60-80 days after planting out. The plants will be a lot younger, so the heads will of course be smaller – but it can be very useful for getting in an extra crop. 

Two possibilities for sowing:

Start it from mid-March either in situ, or in blocks for transplanting out – and get an extra-early crop of heads in May/June. 

Or, as long as the winter is not too severe, sow in late August or September in an unheated greenhouse or polytunnel, to get a very early crop at the start of the following year.

Of course, in reality, experienced gardeners will know that with all the brassica family, it can – to be honest – be a bit random when they do actually head up, as it depends so much upon temperature and daylength when they are small. But by sowing this one as well as the ‘normal’ type, you will extend your season, whenever that turns out to be!

‘Quick’ 60 day heading broccoli.