Cultivating Calabrese: A Step-by-Step Guide
Hailing from the lush Italian region of Calabria, Calabrese is a unique variety of broccoli. Commonly referred to as broccoli in supermarkets and greengrocers, this green goodness is easily recognized by its singular, sizeable head.
Calabrese has a distinguishable feature: smaller heads sprout after the primary head is harvested. It flourishes from late summer to the first frosts, setting it apart from purple sprouting broccoli, which thrives from winter through to spring with smaller heads.
Ready to grow your own Calabrese broccoli? Here's a step-by-step guide with some helpful tips.
Gather Your Materials
- Calabrese seeds
- Quality compost
- Small pots
- Trowel
- Crushed oyster shells (for slug and snail prevention)
- Fleece (and support, if needed)
- Sharp knife
Step 1
Sow Calabrese seed indoors for better results, rather than directly into the ground. Plant seeds in pots filled with compost and wait for them to germinate. Thin seedlings, leaving the strongest ones per pot.
Step 2
About a month after the last frost (usually from late April to May), transfer the strong seedlings to well-prepared soil spaced about 2 feet (60-75cm) apart. Maintain the same distance between rows.
Get Creative
Step 3
Firm the soil around the base of each planted Calabrese to ensure they can withstand windy conditions. Test their stability by tugging on one of the bottom leaves.
Step 4
Slugs and snails can wreak havoc on young Calabrese plants. Create obstacles by scattering crushed oyster shell around the plant's base.
Step 5
Water the plants thoroughly and protect them from cabbage white butterflies, cabbage moth, and pigeons using fleece. Secure the fleece so it covers the ground closely, and consider using a purpose-built frame for easy adaptation.
Step 6
When the Calabrese head is firm but before the florets open, harvest by using a sharp knife to cut it off. Don't uproot the plant, as the cut stalk will produce more heads.
For a successful Calabrese harvest, avoid frost, maintain consistent moisture, and suppress weeds to guard against bolting (premature flowering). With these tips and some patience, you'll be reaping delightful Calabrese broccoli heads in no time[2][3][5].
Accept the challenge of gardening with a unique twist by growing Calabrese broccoli. Outside the realm of home-and-garden essentials, consider incorporating gardening into your lifestyle by nurturing this Italian heirloom vegetable.
