Broccoli Carolo Broccolo, Spigariello

Germination

Prepare the soil in autumn. Dig over remove any stones, add some well rotted organic matter and firm. For early production sow indoors in Mar, plant out Apr harvest August onwards. For direct sowing sow Apr-mid Jun for harvesting Jan-May. Sow indoors 4-6 weeks before you wish to plant out. Sow thinly into modules. Germination takes 7-14 days at 15-18°C. When seedlings reach 8cm they are ready to plant out. Water the day before moving and keep watered until established. Outdoor transplanting should be 25mm deep in a drill with 30cm spacing. Direct sow 12mm deep in rows 15cm apart. Keep watered. Can be grown as baby leaf, successional sow for continual harvest.

Growing

Water for the first few weeks until established. Protect from Cabbage White Butterfly and pigeons. Netting is ideal. Shake off any snow over winter. May require staking. Remove any yellowing or fallen leaves and burn to prevent fungal disease. Can be grown as baby leaf. For baby leaf harvest when the leaves are 3-4" or 10cm tall. For mature harvesting, harvest at 4-6 weeks.

Cultivation

Harvest young leaves as baby leaf as required. For mature plant harvest take the whole plant. 21 days for baby leaf. 45 days for mature harvest.