Mini & Sprouting Broccoli Planting Program

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 (#8304) and Late-Sprouting Broccoli (#8299) Production Tech Sheets.
Late-sprouting, aka winter-sprouting broccoli requires 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:

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

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.

Johnny's Planting Programs

Broccoli • Standard Heading Varieties • Planting Program
Broccoli • Mini & Sprouting Varieties • Planting Program
Broccoli • Mini & Sprouting Varieties • Planting Program Comparison Chart • PDF Version
Brussels Sprouts • Planting/Harvesting Program
Cauliflower • Planting Program
Leeks • Planting/Harvesting Program
Lettuce • Full-size Head Varieties • Planting Program
Radicchio • Planting Program
Radish • Specialty & Daikon Varieties • Planting Program
Spinach • Planting Program
View ALL Planting Programs…

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.

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Broccoli Raab & Choi Sum • Direct-Seeded

'Hon Tsai Tai' (OP)

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.

'Green 70D Improved' (OP)

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. chinensis	Bright Green	40	Short	High	2–4"	Uniform, great tasting green choy sum for spring and fall planting slots.

'Spring Raab' (OP)

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."

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

'Noble Jade' (F1)

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)	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.'

'Melody' (F1)

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 / 24	Medium	Shorter than 'Happy Rich'	Medium	6–12"	Excellent	Good	Tender, flavorful, and very early.

'Happy Rich' (F1)

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.

'BC1611' (F1)

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.

'Atlantis' (F1)

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)	Dark Green	None	Early / 33	Medium	Medium	High	8–15"	Good	Good	High-yielding variety, compact plant habit, good flavor. Will produce small central head unless pinched.

'Burgundy' (F1)

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	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.

'De Cicco' (OP) • Organic

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	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.

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

'Santee' (F1) • OG & Conv

Transplanting / Harvesting Period in COLD AREAS

Cool/
Spring

Warm/
Summer

Cool/
Fall

Cold/
Winter

TRANSPLANTING

HARVESTING

Transplanting / Harvesting Period in MILD AREAS

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	Low	Late / 80–115	Large	Medium	High	18–24"	Average	Good	Plant in summer for overwintering and early spring harvest in warmer climates. Plant in late spring/early summer for fall harvest in cooler climates. Available in both organic and conventional seed.

'Bonarda' (F1)

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

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