{"product_id":"de-cicco-broccoli","title":"De Cicco Broccoli","description":"\u003cp class=\"sc-subtitle\"\u003eHeirloom · Open-Pollinated · 48–65 days from transplant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-pill\"\u003ecool-season · timing varies by zone\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-grows-label\"\u003eGrows well in\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-container-grid\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-container-chip\"\u003eRaised Bed ✓\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-container-chip\"\u003eIn-Ground ✓\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-container-chip\"\u003eContainer\/Pot ✓\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-container-chip\"\u003eGrow Bag ✓\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eMeet This Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost broccoli gives you one head, but De Cicco is not most broccoli. Instead of one big head, it produces a small central head first and then just keeps going, putting out side shoots for weeks. Compact, productive, and more forgiving in warm climates than most broccoli varieties. She's that girl.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat it tastes like:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mild, fresh, and slightly sweet. The side shoots are more tender than the main head and have a cleaner flavor than most store-bought broccoli you've had.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Grow It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-icon-row\" style=\"margin-top: 24px;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-icon-row-label\"\u003eSun\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-pips\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip sun\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip sun\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip sun\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-icon-note\"\u003eFull sun, at least 6 hours a day. In warmer zones partial shade in the afternoon helps slow bolting.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-icon-row\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-icon-row-label\"\u003eWater\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-pips\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip water\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip water\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip water\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-icon-note\"\u003eBroccoli is thirsty. Keep soil consistently moist throughout the season. Dry spells stress the plant and speed up bolting.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size: 25px; font-weight: 700; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 12px; font-family: 'Outfit', sans-serif; color: #1A1A1A;\"\u003eSowing Details\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"sc-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"li-label\"\u003eDepth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"li-val\"\u003e¼–½ inch\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"li-label\"\u003eSpacing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"li-val\"\u003e18–24 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"li-label\"\u003eRow Spacing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"li-val\"\u003e24–36 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"li-label\"\u003eThinning\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"li-val\"\u003e18–24 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"li-label\"\u003eGermination\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"li-val\"\u003e5–10 days (slower in cool soil)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"li-label\"\u003eDays to Maturity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"li-val\"\u003e48–65 days from transplant · ~75–100 days from seed\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size: 25px; font-weight: 700; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 12px; font-family: 'Outfit', sans-serif; color: #1A1A1A;\"\u003eWhen to Plant\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-grid\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-card\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-header\"\u003e❄️ Cool Climates · Zones 3–6\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-body\"\u003eFor spring, start indoors 4–6 weeks before your last frost. Transplant out 2–3 weeks before your last frost when daytime temperatures are consistently in the 40s to 50s°F.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor fall, start indoors 10–12 weeks before your first fall frost or once daytime temperatures begin dropping below about 75°F, and transplant out in late summer.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-card\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-header\"\u003e☀️ Warm Climates · Zones 7–11\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-body\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eZones 7–8\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor fall, start seeds indoors in late summer and transplant once daytime temperatures start dropping below 80°F, typically 8–10 weeks before your first fall frost. This is where De Cicco does what it does best.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor spring, start seeds indoors in late winter and transplant while daytime temperatures are still in the 50s to 60s°F, typically 4–6 weeks before your last frost. Get them in early. Rising temperatures lead to bolting before the plant finishes producing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZones 9–11\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFall through early spring is your window. Start seeds indoors in late summer and transplant once temperatures begin cooling, typically around your first fall frost window.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrow Friend Tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-title\"\u003eHarvest the main head small and the side shoots will go wild\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-body\"\u003eDe Cicco's main head tops out around 3–4 inches. Harvest it while the buds are still tight and dark green. That's what kicks the side shoots into gear. The smaller you harvest that first head, the more aggressively the plant redirects energy into producing more. This is a cut-and-come-again variety and it rewards that approach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-title\"\u003eThe leaves are edible and most people don't know that\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-body\"\u003eBaby leaves can be cooked just like kale. If you're already growing De Cicco, you basically have a bonus green hiding in plain sight. Harvest a few outer leaves while the plant is growing and throw them in a stir fry or sauté. Don't strip the plant, but don't ignore them either.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-title\"\u003eIt bolts faster in heat so timing is everything\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-body\"\u003eDe Cicco handles warmth better than Calabrese but it's still a cool-season crop at heart. If temperatures climb before the plant finishes producing, you'll lose it fast. Plant it so the heads are forming during the coolest part of your season and you'll get a much longer harvest window.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-title\"\u003eBroccoli is a heavy feeder. Treat it like one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-body\"\u003eSide dress with compost or a balanced fertilizer a few weeks after transplanting. Nutrient-poor soil produces pale, slow plants with small disappointing heads. Rich soil makes a real difference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-title\"\u003eRotate it every year\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-body\"\u003eDon't plant broccoli where any brassica grew in the last three years. Clubroot and other soil-borne diseases build up fast in the same spot. Plant in a different spot each year and your plants stay healthier with almost no extra effort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-title\"\u003eRow cover is your best friend early on\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-body\"\u003ePut row cover on at planting and don't lift it until plants are established. Flea beetles work fast and will shred young seedlings before you even notice they're there. Cabbageworm shows up later in the season, so check the undersides of leaves weekly and pick them off by hand. Bt works if things get too out of hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-companions\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-companion-label\"\u003eCompanion plants\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eDill\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eNasturtium\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eMarigold\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eGarlic\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eCelery\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eOnion\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eChamomile\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHarvest \u0026amp; What to Do With It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen it's ready\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe central head is ready at 3–4 inches with tight, dark green buds. Don't wait for it to get bigger. Cut it so the side shoots start coming in. Those are ready when they're a few inches long with tight buds. Same rule applies. If you see any yellow, harvest immediately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to harvest\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCut the central head with a sharp knife, leaving 5–6 inches of stem. Make a slanted cut so water doesn't pool and rot the stalk. Check every few days after that and cut side shoots as they appear. Regular harvesting is what keeps them coming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eYield\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA small central head per plant, then several weeks of side shoots that keep coming as long as you keep cutting. Plant a few at a time every couple of weeks and you'll have a steady flow rather than a bunch all at once.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eShort-term storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRefrigerate dry in a loose bag and wash right before use. Good for about 3–7 days. Broccoli declines fast after harvest. Don't let it sit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLong-term storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-storage-item\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-yes\"\u003e✅\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-name\"\u003eFreezing:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-note\"\u003e Blanch 3 minutes, ice bath, dry well, freeze flat then bag. Keeps up to 12 months. Best texture of any preservation method for broccoli.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-storage-item\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-yes\"\u003e✅\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-name\"\u003eDehydrating:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-note\"\u003e Blanch first, then dehydrate at 125°F until completely dry. Good crumbled into soups. Keeps 6–12 months airtight.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-storage-item\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-yes\"\u003e✅\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-name\"\u003eRefrigerator pickling:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-note\"\u003e Quick pickled florets with vinegar, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Keeps 2–3 weeks in the fridge.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-storage-item\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-no\"\u003e❌\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-name\"\u003ePressure canning:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-note\"\u003e Broccoli can be pressure canned safely, but it turns mushy and sulfurous. Not worth the effort or the smell. Most gardeners prefer freezing.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-storage-item\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-no\"\u003e❌\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-name\"\u003eWater bath canning:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-note\"\u003e Low-acid vegetable. Not safe on its own.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-storage-item\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-no\"\u003e❌\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-name\"\u003eRoot cellaring:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-note\"\u003e Doesn't hold up outside of refrigeration.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat to cook\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoast it at high heat until the edges char. That's the move most people skip and shouldn't. It also holds up well in stir fries, soups, and pasta where it absorbs flavor without falling apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed Storage \u0026amp; Saving\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ctable class=\"sc-seed-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVariety\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDe Cicco Broccoli\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eType\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeirloom · Open-Pollinated\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeeds per packet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~150 seeds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin-top:16px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStoring unused seeds:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep somewhere cool, dark, and dry. Viable 3–5 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeed saving:\u003c\/strong\u003e De Cicco is a biennial. It sets seed in year two. Let a few plants overwinter and bolt in spring, then collect pods once they're fully dry. Crosses freely with other Brassica oleracea crops including kale, cabbage, and cauliflower. You need at least ½ mile of distance from any flowering relatives to keep the variety true.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Sow Chaotic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43803781857358,"sku":null,"price":3.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0739\/3630\/6254\/files\/3.png?v=1786455964","url":"https:\/\/sowchaotic.com\/products\/de-cicco-broccoli","provider":"Sow Chaotic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}