BROCCOLI 
Broccoli requires soil with a pH above 5.8: soils deficient in 
boron will cause hollow stem, which may lead to diseased plants 
after center head is cut. To promote maximum production of 
side shoots, nitrogen side dressings and water should be applied 
liberally. Spergon, in spray or dust form, has been used success- 
fully to control downy mildew. It is advisable to choose the 
proper variety, based on desired harvest season. 
ABOUT VARIETIES. Among the characteristics which distinguish 
the varieties of broccoli, probably the most important is their 
response to time of planting. Maturity also varies greatly among 
varieties, but this is closely related to the season of planting 
and to the time of growth required by each variety to realize 
its highest yield and quality. 
In general, the varieties of broccoli fall into three groups which 
we term Early, Medium, and Late in the descriptions given 
below. Those varieties listed as Early must be planted early in 
the season to give satisfactory quality. If seeded for fall harvest 
they will flower before making marketable heads. Varieties marked 
Medium are adapted to the widest range of planting dates, but 
even in this group planting too early in the summer may result 
in premature flowering. This is particularly true of Waltham 29. 
The Late types are adapted only to areas where broccoli can be 
grown throughout the winter and are usually planted in the 
fall for spring harvesting. 
Variety Class* Season Plant Type Head Type Remarks 
BYE CHeeek i ae OO: Se early spring-summer medium, medium large, Standard second-early. 
compact compact 
Early Green Sprouting ......... first-early spring tall compact For earliest harvest. 
GrandaG@enthal gaa ace medium fall vigorous very large See below. 
Pex me | Oj/miemreree. es cn Sek oe 2 early spring medium tall large Productive; color may be 
light for some markets. 
WV ollthiariigee 9 Beret Ses fer cre 4 medium late-summer, fall low, compact medium large See below. 
* See “About Varieties,’ above. 
GRAND CENTRAL. A recent AsGROW introduc- 
tion in the Medium group. The plants are medi- 
um tall and uniform, producing distinctively 
large main heads, followed by a heavy crop of 
large side shoots. Under normal weather condi- 
tions these can be harvested in four instead of 
the usual six cuttings. An excellent variety for 
fall harvest, reaching cutting stage about a 
week later than Waltham 29. 
WALTHAM 29. A recent development, in the 
Medium group, introduced by the Waltham, 
Mass., Field Station. The plants are dwarf and 
very compact, producing main heads of uni- 
form, blue-green color, followed by a heavy 
crop of large side shoots. Waltham 29 is wide- 
ly adapted for fall harvesting, but is not suitable 
for early or mid-summer use. 
Grand Central Waltham 29 
BROCCOLI RAB 
Variety Planting Time Harvest Size Color Remarks 
ANIME (even) IN@; DP) ..o50gee early spring-summer summer-fall medium medium green Quick growing. 
Early Light, Biennial ......... fall. early spring medium light green First-early market. 
Late Light, Biennial .......... fall late spring medium-large medium green Long standing. 
RapPODG sete ease ood aa spring summer-fall large, heavy dark green Long standing. 
