- Latin Name: Brassica oleracea var. italica
- Common Names: Broccolo (Italian singular of broccoli)
- Broccoli Hardiness Zones: 2-11
- Organic Waltham 29 Days to Maturity: 85 days
- Seed Planting Depth: Plant 2-3 seeds ½” deep
- Seed Spacing: 12-18"
- Garden Row Spacing: 18-30"
- Waltham 29 Growth Habit: Organic broccoli seeds grow to a 24-30" tall mounded brassica with a 24" spread of 4-8" heads
- Garden Soil Preference: Organically rich, fertile, well-drained
- Grow Temp Preference: 40-70°F
- Garden Light Preference: Full sun
- Pests/Diseases/Troubleshooting: Organic Brassica oleracea var. italica is susceptible to brassica pests including cabbage worms and cabbage loopers and watch regularly for flea beetles, aphids, and thrips. Watch for leaf spotting and yellowing.
- Color: Organic Waltham 29 broccoli boasts classic blue-green floret and greens
- Organic Waltham 29 Flavor: Timeless crisp, crunchy, and earthy broccoli florets
Organic non-GMO Waltham 29 broccoli seeds are a cool weather crop ideally grown in early spring or fall. Heirloom broccoli seeds can be sown direct but, for earliest starts, begin indoors 6-8 weeks prior. Plant 2-3 organic Waltham 29 seeds ½” deep per cell or 3” apart in the garden in organically rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Heirloom broccoli seeds germinate in 3-10 days, thin back to 1 plant every 12-20” in the garden once true leaves establish. Harvest garden broccoli often to encourage growth. Open-pollinated and organic Brassica oleracea var. italica is susceptible to brassica garden pests including cabbage worms and cabbage loopers and watch regularly for flea beetles, aphids, and thrips. Watch for leaf spotting and yellowing.
Organic Waltham 29 broccoli is a cultivar of Brassica oleracea var. italica specifically grown to withstand the cooler gardens of the American Northeast and Pacific northwest. Recently, garden broccoli has been experiencing a renaissance as a sprout, microgreens, and garden vegetable crop because of the natural-occuring compound Sulforaphane exclusive to members of the brassica (cruciferous) family. Studies have shown significant correlations between Sulforaphane and alleviation of cancer, autism, heart health, and diabetes.