Organic Broccoli (Calabrese) Seeds

Broccoli (Calabrese) Fiesta F1 15 Organic Broccoli Seeds £1.00 123

• Hybrid which produces healthy and productive plants.
• Domed green heads.
• After harvesting main head, side shoots can be picked until first frosts.

Fact: Although generally known as broccoli, Fiesta F1 and many other varieties normally referred to as broccoli, are in fact calabrese (they are ready to harvest before winter in the same year as sowing, whereas true broccoli is over-wintered).  Calabrese is also easier to grow and has a milder flavour than its cousin broccoli.

Sowing Instructions

Sow: Under glass from mid April, in individual pots, or outside from late May to late June, very thinly around 1.5cm deep, directly into well prepared soil on a sunny, or partly shaded, site.  In order to help prevent diseases such as club root, choose an area where no brassicas (cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, turnip) have been grown in the last 2 years.  Calabrese does not like to be transplanted.  Instead, if required, thin seedlings to 40cm apart and try to avoid root disturbance when planting out seedlings sown under glass in pots.

Aftercare: Water well in dry conditions, particularly when the heads are forming.  Add a sprinkling of organic fertilizer or compost once the plants are established, if desired.

Harvest: From late Summer, before the flowers open.  Once the main head has been harvested, this will encourage the formation and development of smaller sized side shoots.

Cooking Tips

Cut into spears and steam (or boil in a small amount of water) for a couple of minutes.  Small spears of calabrese are also ideal for stir-fries or try eating raw with a selection of dips.  If you have a glut, why not make a pot of delicious broccoli and stilton soup or substitute for cauliflower in cauliflower cheese?

Fiesta F1 also freezes well (blanche for 3 mins, cool, dry, then freeze).