What are the sun requirements for Brassica oleracea 'Calabrese'?

Brassica oleracea 'Calabrese' requires Full Sun.

How much water does Brassica oleracea 'Calabrese' need?

Brassica oleracea 'Calabrese' has High water needs.

Brassica oleracea 'Calabrese', Calabrese Broccoli

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Vegetables

Brassica oleracea 'Calabrese'

Calabrese Broccoli

Brassicaceae

Cultivar from the Calabria region of southern Italy; the species B. oleracea is native to Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal Europe

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height18-30 inches (45-75 cm)

Width18-24 inches (45-60 cm)

Maturity1 years

Key Features

Container Friendly

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Brassica oleracea 'Calabrese' is Calabrese broccoli (Italian green sprouting broccoli), a cool-season annual growing 18-30 inches (45-75 cm) tall and 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) wide. The harvest is a dome-shaped central head 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) across — a tight cluster of unopened flower buds on a sturdy central stem. Blue-green waxy leaves with white veining. In the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Named after the Calabria region of southern Italy. The species B. oleracea also includes cabbage, kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi — all the same species, differentiated by centuries of selective breeding. After the central head is cut, secondary side shoots develop from the leaf axils and produce smaller heads 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm) for 4-6 additional weeks. Cool-season crop: bolts in sustained heat above 80°F (27°C). The buds must be harvested while tight — once they begin to separate or show yellow, the texture becomes gritty. Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost, or sow in late summer for fall harvest. Contains goitrogens (reduced by cooking). Cabbage worms (Pieris rapae), aphids, and flea beetles are the primary pests. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic (edible crop). Full sun. Annual. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Cultivar from the Calabria region of southern Italy. The species B. oleracea is native to Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal Europe.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L). Cool-season crop — spring and fall harvests. The central head plus secondary side shoots for extended harvest. Italian heirloom. Contains goitrogens. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Annual.

How to Identify

Identified by a dome-shaped central head of tightly clustered dark green unopened flower buds on a sturdy stem with blue-green waxy leaves. The tight bud cluster and the blue-green waxy foliage are diagnostic. Distinguished from cauliflower (white curd) and from purple sprouting broccoli (multiple small purple heads). In Brassicaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'6"

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring Summer

Bolts in sustained heat — small bright yellow 4-petaled cruciform flowers. The 'head' is the cluster of unopened buds. Once yellow flowers appear, the head is past peak harvest. Flowering is undesirable.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Small bright yellow 4-petaled (cruciform) flowers if allowed to bolt — the broccoli 'head' is a cluster of unopened flower buds

Foliage Description

Blue-green with prominent white veining; large, broadly ovate, waxy surface; 8-12 inches (20-30 cm)

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

60-90 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Rich moist soil pH 6.0-7.0. Cool-season crop — bolts in heat above 80 degrees F (27 degrees C). Start indoors 6 weeks early. Consistent moisture — water stress causes loose heads. Side-dress with nitrogen after transplant. Harvest central head at 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) while buds are tight. Contains goitrogens. Cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Annual.

Pruning

Harvest the central head at 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) diameter when buds are tight — cut at a 45-degree angle 6 inches (15 cm) below the head. Secondary side shoots develop and produce smaller heads for 4-6 weeks. Remove yellowed or pest-damaged leaves.