When to plant Calabrese in the UK

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
Sow outdoors May to June, harvest July to October.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

Growing guide for the UK

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Sow calabrese directly outdoors for a later harvest, extending the cropping season after the main indoor-raised crop.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Directly

    early May to early June UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 3 weeks

    Sow seeds directly into prepared soil from early May to early June. Make drills deep and space seeds apart, thinning later. Cover lightly with soil and water well. Sow a new batch every 21 days across the displayed sowing window for a steadier crop.

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    mid-May to late June UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

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

  3. 03

    Install Pest Protection

    late May to late June UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Protect plants from pests as they grow from late May to late 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

    late May to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 4 weeks

    Apply a nitrogen-rich fertiliser every 28 days from late May 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

    mid-July to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

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

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.