Johnny's MINI BROCCOLI Planting Program

Above, Left to Right:  1. 'Happy Rich' F1.  2. 'De Cicco' OP.  3. 'Atlantis' F1.  4. 'Burgundy' F1.

Succession Planting & Season Extension for Mini & Sprouting Broccoli

Designed to take the guesswork out of succession-planting mini and sprouting broccolis, Johnny's Mini Broccoli Planting Program allows you to easily extend your harvest across the growing seasons.

NOTE

  • Without protection, all of these varieties will "winterkill" in colder climates, where winter temperatures fall consistently below 20°F/-7°C.
  • For optimal results, observe the guidelines provided in our Early-Sprouting Broccoli Tech Sheet and Late-Sprouting Broccoli Tech Sheet.
  • Late-sprouting, aka winter-sprouting broccolis require vernalization to produce florets. Vernalization takes place while the plant is exposed to temperatures at or below 50°F (10°C) for a period of time. The cumulative amount of time the plant needs to be exposed to these temperatures to produce florets varies between varieties. A cumulative period of 6–8 weeks represents a "high" vernalization requirement.
  • DTM = Days to Maturity

Based on trialing data collected by Johnny's Research Team, the program recommends optimal transplanting and harvesting times for 10 different varieties. These are the two main categories and their subtypes included here:

  1. Early-sprouting varieties: broccoli raabs, choi sums, and broccoli x gailon types, also known as summer-sprouting broccoli;
  2. Late-sprouting varieties, including types for winter harvest and overwintering, also known as winter-sprouting broccoli.

Determine which mini and sprouting broccoli varieties to sow during particular seasonal slots by evaluating the transplanting and harvesting periods shown in the charts below.

To achieve a steady supply, succession-plant the varieties listed in the suggested sequences. By selecting appropriate varieties, meeting vernalization requirements where indicated, and providing protected cover where necessary, it is possible to achieve a 3–4-season harvestable yield.

Broccoli Raab & Choi Sum • Direct-Seeded

Direct-Seeding / Harvesting Period
Cool/
Spring
Warm/
Summer
Cool/
Fall
Cold/
Winter
DIRECT-SEEDING
HARVESTING
Features
Taxon Stem Color DTM Harvest Duration Rel. # Side Shoots /Harvest In-Row Spacing Note:
Brassica rapa var. purpurea Purple 37 Short High 2–4" Unique purple-stemmed choy sum with dark green leaves and yellow flowers. Sweet mild flavor. Also known as kosaitai.
Direct-Seeding / Harvesting Period
Cool/
Spring
Warm/
Summer
Cool/
Fall
Cold/
Winter
DIRECT-SEEDING
DIRECT-SEEDING
HARVESTING
HARVESTING
Features
Taxon Stem Color DTM Harvest Duration Rel. # Side Shoots /Harvest In-Row Spacing Note:
Brassica rapa var. chinensis Bright green 42 Short High 2–4" Uniform, great tasting green choy sum for spring and fall planting slots. Heat tolerant.
Direct-Seeding / Harvesting Period
Cool/
Spring
Warm/
Summer
Cool/
Fall
Cold/
Winter
DIRECT-SEEDING
HARVESTING
Features
Taxon Stem Color DTM Harvest Duration Rel. # Side Shoots /Harvest In-Row Spacing Note:
Brassica rapa var. ruvo Dark green 42 Short Very high 4–6" Vigorous broccoli raab with versatility and adaptability. Good for single or multiple (cut-&-come-again) harvests. This type is known in Italy as cima di rapa, which translates as "turnip top."

Early-Sprouting Broccoli (aka Summer-Sprouting Broccoli) • Transplanted

Transplanting / Harvesting Period
Cool/
Spring
Warm/
Summer
Cool/
Fall
Cold/
Winter
TRANSPLANTING
TRANSPLANTING
HARVESTING
HARVESTING
Features
Taxon Stem Color Vernalization Requirement Rel. Maturity /DTM Plant Size Harvest Duration Rel. # Side Shoots /Harvest In-Row Spacing Heat Tolerance Cold Tolerance Note:
Brassica oleracea var. italica x alboglabra (aka Broccoli x Gailon) Dark green None Early / 22 Small Short Low–Medium 4–6" Average Great Extra-fast maturity, and plants go directly to producing bunchable shoots without large central heads. More mustardy flavor, but still very sweet and tender like 'Happy Rich.'
Transplanting / Harvesting Period
Cool/
Spring
Warm/
Summer
Cool/
Fall
Cold/
Winter
TRANSPLANTING
HARVESTING
Features
Taxon Stem Color Vernalization Requirement Rel. Maturity /DTM Plant Size Harvest Duration Rel. # Side Shoots /Harvest In-Row Spacing Heat Tolerance Cold Tolerance Note:
Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra Medium green None Early / 24 Medium Medium long Medium 6–12" Excellent Good Tender, flavorful, and very early. Johnny's Exclusive.
Transplanting / Harvesting Period
Cool/
Spring
Warm/
Summer
Cool/
Fall
Cold/
Winter
TRANSPLANTING
HARVESTING
Features
Taxon Stem Color Vernalization Requirement Rel. Maturity /DTM Plant Size Harvest Duration Rel. # Side Shoots /Harvest In-Row Spacing Heat Tolerance Cold Tolerance Note:
Brassica oleracea Medium green None Early / 25 Large Long High 6–12" Excellent Good Large, vigorous plants produce 3–4" dia. central heads followed by abundant side-shoot production. Excellent flavor. Will produce for 4–6 weeks if harvested regularly. Pinching not necessary.
Transplanting / Harvesting Period
Cool/
Spring
Warm/
Summer
Cool/
Fall
Cold/
Winter
TRANSPLANTING
HARVESTING
Features
Taxon Stem Color Vernalization Requirement Rel. Maturity /DTM Plant Size Harvest Duration Rel. # Side Shoots /Harvest In-Row Spacing Heat Tolerance Cold Tolerance Note:
Brassica oleracea var. italica x alboglabra (aka Broccoli x Gailon) Medium green None Early / 27 Medium Long Medium 6–12" Excellent Good Improved heat tolerance, sweet flavor, and very tender stems. Great for spring, summer, and fall broccoli production. Will produce small central head unless pinched. Johnny's Exclusive.
Transplanting / Harvesting Period
Cool/
Spring
Warm/
Summer
Cool/
Fall
Cold/
Winter
TRANSPLANTING
HARVESTING
Features
Taxon Stem Color Vernalization Requirement Rel. Maturity /DTM Plant Size Harvest Duration Rel. # Side Shoots /Harvest In-Row Spacing Heat Tolerance Cold Tolerance Note:
Brassica oleracea Bright green, with dark blue-green florets None Early / 33 Large Medium–Long High 8–15" Excellent Good Slender, tender stems pickable at longer length (up to 8") for easier bunching. Finely beaded florets. Fewer leaves on stems for minimal stripping at harvest. No pinching necessary.
Transplanting / Harvesting Period
Cool/
Spring
Warm/
Summer
Cool/
Fall
Cold/
Winter
TRANSPLANTING
HARVESTING
Features
Taxon Stem Color Vernalization Requirement Rel. Maturity /DTM Plant Size Harvest Duration Rel. # Side Shoots /Harvest In-Row Spacing Heat Tolerance Cold Tolerance Note:
Brassica oleracea Bright green None Early-Mid / 35 Large Medium–Long High 8–15" Excellent Good The large, vigorous plants will produce over several weeks if harvested promptly. Harvest central head at 3" diameter or pinch to encourage greater side-shoot production.
Transplanting / Harvesting Period
Cool/
Spring
Warm/
Summer
Cool/
Fall
Cold/
Winter
TRANSPLANTING
TRANSPLANTING
HARVESTING
HARVESTING
Features
Taxon Stem Color Vernalization Requirement Rel. Maturity /DTM Plant Size Harvest Duration Rel. # Side Shoots /Harvest In-Row Spacing Heat Tolerance Cold Tolerance Note:
Brassica oleracea var. italica Purple None Early-Mid / 37 Tall Short Very high 12–18" Good Good Purple-beaded, strong upright variety for main season production. Grow and harvest similar to 'Atlantis'.
Transplanting / Harvesting Period
Cool/
Spring
Warm/
Summer
Cool/
Fall
Cold/
Winter
TRANSPLANTING
TRANSPLANTING
HARVESTING
HARVESTING
Features
Taxon Stem Color Vernalization Requirement Rel. Maturity /DTM Plant Size Harvest Duration Rel. # Side Shoots /Harvest In-Row Spacing Heat Tolerance Cold Tolerance Note:
Brassica oleracea var. italica Dark green None Mid / 45 Large Long High 12–18" Average Good OP broccoli best known for its prolific side shoot production, but can produce good sized central heads as well. Pinching may encourage earlier and larger side shoot production.

Late-Sprouting Broccoli (aka Winter-Sprouting Broccoli) • Transplanted

Transplanting / Harvesting Period
Cool/
Spring
Warm/
Summer
Cool/
Fall
Cold/
Winter
TRANSPLANTING
HARVESTING
Features
Taxon Stem Color Vernalization Requirement Rel. Maturity /DTM Plant Size Harvest Duration Rel. # Side Shoots /Harvest In-Row Spacing Heat Tolerance Cold Tolerance Note:
Brassica oleracea var. italica Purple High Very late / 210 Large Short High 18–24" Average Excellent Overwinter in milder climates for spring harvests. Plants require vernalization and will not flower in the fall before vernalization.

» Downloadable, printable PDF of Johnny's Mini & Sprouting Broccoli Planting Program