Growing Guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Calabrese

Planting Calendar

Seed DirectLater

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F

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FertiliseNow

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HarvestNow

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MaintenanceLater

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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.

Sow Seeds Directly
17 Apr – 17 May
every 3 weeks
Sow seeds directly into prepared soil from 17th April - 17th 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.
Thin Seedlings
16 May – 23 May
Thin seedlings to the final spacing of apart once they have two true leaves, around 16th May - 23rd May. Remove the weakest plants, leaving the strongest to grow. Water after thinning to help the remaining plants establish.
Install Pest Protection
23 May – 30 May
Protect plants from pests as they grow from 23rd May - 30th May. 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.
Feed Plants
30 May – 20 Nov
every 4 weeks
Apply a nitrogen-rich fertiliser every 28 days from 30th May to encourage growth. Use a liquid feed or granular fertiliser, watering it in thoroughly. Discontinue feeding when the central head begins to form.
Harvest Calabrese
11 Jul – 20 Nov
Cut the main head when it's compact and before the flowers open, from 11th July. Harvest side shoots regularly as they develop until 20th November. 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.

Related Plants

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Herb

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Brussels Sprouts

Vegetable

Brussels sprouts are a hardy winter brassica (cabbage family) that form sturdy, leafy stems often around 60–90cm tall. They produce edible mini-cabbage buds along the stem from autumn through winter. Thanks to their cold tolerance, sprouts remain productive into late winter, and frost actually improves their sweetness.

Chilli Pepper

Fruit

Chilli peppers are tender perennials grown as annuals in the UK, requiring a long, warm season. They thrive in a greenhouse or a sunny, sheltered outdoor spot, producing fruits that range from mild to intensely hot depending on variety and growing conditions.

Also in nearby towns

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