Lilly Spring Onion Seeds
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Calabrese Green Sprouting Seeds
£2.99 - £4.99
Calabrese Green Sprouting Seeds - Multiple Harvests of Tender Broccoli.
Sow these calabrese green sprouting seeds for a rewarding crop of tasty and healthy broccoli. This type produces a central head followed by numerous side shoots for a prolonged harvest.
Seed Quantity:
Seed Information
- Plant Type Vegetable
- Organic Yes
- Growing Difficulty Moderate
- Germination Time 7-14 Days
- Harvest Time 60-90 Days
- Best Season To Grow Spring, Late Summer
- SunLight Needs Full Sun
- Water Requirements Medium to High
- Height Of Maturity 45-75 CM
- None GMO Yes
- UK Native No - Italian
Calabrese Green Sprouting Seeds
Grow delicious and nutritious green sprouting broccoli (calabrese) with these high-quality seeds. Enjoy multiple harvests of tender spears.
Growing Instructions
Sowing Time:
- Indoor Sowing (Recommended for an earlier crop): Sow indoors from March to May. Given we're in late April in Southport, now is a perfect time for indoor sowing for a summer/autumn harvest.
- Direct Sowing (for a later crop): Sow directly outdoors from May to June.
- Sowing Method:
- Indoor Sowing: Sow seeds about 1cm (½ inch) deep in modules or seed trays filled with good quality seed compost. Sow one seed per module.
- Keep the compost moist but not waterlogged.
- Place the trays in a cool greenhouse or on a well-lit windowsill. Aim for a temperature of 15-20°C (59-68°F) for germination.
- Once seedlings have developed their first true leaves, they can be thinned to one strong seedling per module if needed.
- Germination: Calabrese seeds typically germinate within 7-14 days.
- Growing On (Indoor Sown Seedlings):
- Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into individual 7.5cm (3-inch) pots.
- Continue to grow them in a cool, well-lit environment.
- Hardening Off (Indoor Sown Seedlings): Before transplanting outdoors, gradually acclimatize the young calabrese plants to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Place them in a sheltered spot during the day and bring them back indoors at night, gradually increasing the time they spend outside.
- Planting Out:
- Transplant outdoors from late May to July, once the risk of hard frost has passed and the plants have 4-6 true leaves. Around late May or early June is usually ideal here in Southport.
- Choose a sunny spot with well-drained, firm soil.
- Calabrese prefers a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Incorporate well-rotted organic matter (like compost or manure) into the soil before planting. - Space plants about 60cm (2 feet) apart in rows that are also 60cm (2 feet) apart.
- Water plants well after transplanting.
- Direct Sowing:
- Prepare the soil by raking it to a fine tilth.
- Sow seeds thinly, about 1cm (½ inch) deep, in rows spaced 60cm (2 feet) apart.
- Thin seedlings to 60cm (2 feet) apart once they are large enough to handle.
Care Instructions
Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry spells and when the heads and spears are developing.
- Feeding: Calabrese are heavy feeders.
After transplanting, feed them with a balanced general-purpose fertilizer. Once the main head starts to form, you can switch to a fertilizer higher in potassium to encourage good development and the production of side shoots. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application rates. - Weeding: Keep the planting area free of weeds, as they compete for resources.
Regular hoeing or mulching can help. - Pest Control: Watch out for common brassica pests like cabbage white butterflies (and their caterpillars), cabbage root fly, and aphids. Use appropriate organic pest control methods if needed, such as netting, companion planting, or insecticidal soap. For cabbage root fly, consider using brassica collars around the base of the stems when planting out.
- Harvesting:
- Harvest the main head when the florets are tight and before they start to open or turn yellow.
Cut the main stem with a sharp knife. - After harvesting the main head, the plant will produce smaller, sprouting spears from the sides.
These can be harvested over several weeks, providing a continuous supply. Harvest these side shoots when they are a good size and still firm. Regular harvesting encourages more production.
- Harvest the main head when the florets are tight and before they start to open or turn yellow.
By following these steps, you should enjoy a prolonged harvest of delicious and nutritious Calabrese Green Sprouting from your garden!
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