How to Grow De Cicco Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica
De Cicco Broccoli is a reliable heirloom brassica valued for its tender heads and adaptability to cooler climates. Gardeners prize this variety for producing crisp florets that withstand light frosts while thriving in full sun or partial shade.
📷 Wikipedia: Brassica oleraceaStarting De Cicco Broccoli: indoors or direct sow?
🏠 Start indoors 4 weeks before your last spring frost, then move the seedlings outside.
Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date, then harden off seedlings gradually before moving them to the garden once soil is workable.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Sow seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last spring frost date, as this cool-season crop tolerates cold well. Press seeds gently into the surface; do not bury them deeply since they need light to germinate. Expect sprouts in 5 to 10 days.
Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart to ensure proper head formation. Provide consistent moisture, aiming for 1 to 1.5 inches of water weekly. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool. Feed regularly with a balanced fertilizer if growth seems sluggish.
Watch for cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, and diamondback moths; use row covers or insecticidal soap early. Prevent clubroot and downy mildew by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest heads when tight and firm, typically around 45 days after planting.
When to Plant De Cicco Broccoli
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | April – May | June – July | July – September |
| Zone 2 | April – May | May – July | July – September |
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | June – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | April – December |
| Zone 9 | January | February – March | March – December |
| Zone 10 | January | January – March | March – December |
| Zone 11 | January | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 12 | January | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 13 | January | January – February | February – December |
Companion Plants for De Cicco Broccoli
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve flavor
Repels cabbage white butterflies and improves growth through root interactions
Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control cabbage worms
Provides living mulch, efficient space use as it matures before broccoli needs full space
Deters cabbage moths and other brassica pests with strong scent
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cabbage worms, repels cucumber beetles
Repels cabbage moths, aphids, and cabbage root maggots with sulfur compounds
Compatible root systems, harvested before broccoli reaches maturity
✗ Keep away from
Same family (Brassicaceae), attracts similar pests and diseases, depletes soil nutrients
Both are heavy feeders that compete for nutrients, can stunt broccoli development
Compete for similar nutrients, tomatoes can inhibit broccoli growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
