BROCCOLI 
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, chiefly California, 
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 
De Ciccom aerial en nes Early spring-summer- medium medium large Standard main crop vari- 
early fall compact compact ety for South and East. 
Grande Centra lea Medium fall vigorous, very large Heavy yielding. 
medium tall 
ee CVO ae eg etek SRN een Second early — spring-summer tall, upright large, divided For market and freezing. 
IBeidey > aha ae, eae Onenmenn Giatpatee na Late winter-spring large large, compact For the Far West only. 
Median sree wae oo ee tae Medium fall-winter tall, branching large See below. 
Mediumm ates erie Late winter-spring medium large For the Far West only. 
compact 
Wiel thane? 9 sega rey eet miet ine: Medium late-summer, fall low, compact medium large See below. 
MEDIUM. The principal variety for shipping 
and freezing in the Southwest and Far West, 
generally grown for harvesting during the late 
fall and winter months. The vigorous plants 
produce a large, attractive, compact center 
head, with a high yield of side shoots maturing 
over a relatively long season. 
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- Fe a 
ly adapted for fall harvesting, but is not suitable 
for early or mid-summer use. 
Medium 
Waltham 29 
PG ets , ss 28 * 5 se e 
A field of Asgrow Medium broccoli, Santa Clara Valley, California. 
