Calabrese in Oxford

Brassica oleracea var. italica

Calabrese
Calabrese · Brassica oleracea var. italica

Calabrese (broccoli) produces a large central head of tightly-packed green buds, followed by smaller side-shoots after the main head is cut. It’s a cool-season brassica crop. Grow it in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and keep plants watered during dry spells. Harvest the heads while firm, then leave the stem in the ground to allow side-shoots to develop.

60 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Oxford · last frost ≈ 24 Apr

Sow outdoors April to May, harvest July to October. Frost risk October to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNo

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Calabrese

Growing guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Sow Calabrese directly outdoors for a later harvest, useful for extending the cropping season into autumn.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Directly

    24 Apr to 24 May every 3 weeks

    Sow seeds directly into prepared soil from 24th April - 24th May. Make drills deep and space seeds apart, thinning later. Cover lightly with soil and water well. For a continuous harvest, sow a new batch every 21 days until midsummer.

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    23 May to 30 May

    Thin seedlings to the final spacing of apart once they have two true leaves, around 23rd May - 30th May. Remove the weakest plants, leaving the strongest to grow. Water after thinning to help the remaining plants establish.

  3. 03

    Install Pest Protection

    30 May to 6 Jun

    Protect plants from pests as they grow from 30th May - 6th June. Use fine mesh netting to cover the bed, securing it well to keep out butterflies and birds. Add brassica collars to each plant to prevent root fly damage.

  4. 04

    Feed Plants

    6 Jun to 29 Oct every 4 weeks

    Apply a nitrogen-rich fertiliser every 28 days from 6th June to encourage growth. Use a liquid feed or granular fertiliser, watering it in thoroughly. Discontinue feeding when the central head begins to form.

  5. 05

    Harvest Calabrese

    18 Jul to 29 Oct

    Cut the main head when it's compact and before the flowers open, from 18th July. Harvest side shoots regularly as they develop until 29th October. Keep the soil moist to reduce the risk of bolting during dry spells.

Companion plants

Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Calabrese.

Good companions

Plants to avoid

Why companion planting matters

Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Calabrese to consider

Belstar

A reliable F1 hybrid with good heat tolerance, producing medium-sized blue-green heads and abundant side shoots. It's resistant to bolting and suitable for UK summers.

Green Magic

An early-maturing variety with uniform, dense heads and a sweet flavour. It performs well in cooler conditions and is ideal for succession sowing.

Ironman

A vigorous F1 hybrid known for its large central head and prolific side shoot production. It has good disease resistance and is well-suited to organic growing.

Calabrese guides by town

See how Calabrese timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.