Broccoli Guide
Broccoli Comparison Chart
Compare every broccoli we carry side by side. Heading hybrids give one big, uniform crown; Calabrese and heirloom types keep producing side shoots for weeks; broccolini grows long, tender stems; and raab (rapini) is ready in about 45 days. Broccoli is a cool-season crop, so plant for spring or fall harvests. Tap any variety to see full details and order seed.
Heading
One big, tight central crown on uniform plants.
56–70 daysCalabrese
A head first, then weeks of side shoots.
50–55 daysBroccolini
Long, tender stems with small florets.
42–50 daysRaab
Fast, leafy rapini with a nutty bite.
Heading Broccoli
| Variety | Days | Color | Harvest | Season | Notes | Disease Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
57 | Green | Main head | Summer, fall | Heat tolerant; tight domes |
BLBRDM
|
|
60 | Green | Main head | Warm areas | Strong roots; greenhouse |
BLBRDM
|
|
60 | Purple | Main head | Spring, fall | Deep purple heads | — |
|
70 | Green | Head + shoots | Spring, fall | 4–8 in. heads; frost hardy | — |
|
75 | Green | Main head | Spring, fall | Very heavy, fine beads | — |
| 80 | Blue-green | Head + shoots | Fall | Classic; cold tolerant | — |
Calabrese (Head & Side Shoots)
| Variety | Days | Color | Harvest | Season | Notes | Disease Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
56 | Green | Side shoots | Spring, fall | Italian heirloom; compact | — |
|
56 | Blue-green | Side shoots | Spring, fall | Long, staggered harvest | — |
|
70 | Green | Head + shoots | Short seasons | Slow bolting | — |
| 70 | Green | Head + shoots | Spring, fall | Large heads, then shoots | — |
Plan for spring and fall
Broccoli forms its best heads in cool weather. Transplant in early spring so heads form before summer heat, then sow again in midsummer for a fall crop. Heat-tolerant hybrids like Green Magic and Gypsy handle warmer spells, and Early Purple Sprouting overwinters for spring shoots.
Broccolini & Specialty
| Variety | Days | Color | Harvest | Season | Notes | Disease Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
50 | Green | Tender stems | Spring, fall | Broccolini; asparagus-like | — |
|
55 | Green | Tender stems | Summer | Sweet; pinch for shoots | — |
| 70 | Lime green | Spiral head | Fall | Fractal spirals; nutty | — |
|
|
220 | Purple | Side shoots | Overwinter | Sow summer; spring pick | — |
Broccoli Raab (Rapini)
| Variety | Days | Color | Harvest | Season | Notes | Disease Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
42 | Green | Stems & leaves | Spring, fall | Fast; every part edible | — |
| 45 | Green | Stems & leaves | Fall, late winter | Uniform florets; bolts fast | — |
|
| 50 | Green | Stems & leaves | Spring, fall | Nutty, pleasantly bitter | — |
Disease Resistance Codes
Days are from transplant (raab: from direct seeding) and are typical values from breeders and seed trials; results vary with growing conditions. A dash (—) means no resistance is published for that variety.