How to grow Calabrese or Green Sprouting Broccoli.

Broccoli is great for freezing. It retains it's colour and flavour!

Calabrese or Green sprouting Broccoli

Sow calabrese in April or May. This is best done direct into the soil for calabrese - broccoli - is one member of the cabbage family that do not like to be transplanted. If you decide to sow seed for transplanting, then sow them in peat pots so that there is no root disturbance for the young broccoli plants when planted.

Broccoli needs to be fed and watered well if you are growing specifically for freezing. Rapid growth is requires for the best freezing of calabrese. It is normally ready for cutting after about ten weeks. Cut off the main central head - leave the main stalk and it will re-sprout to give further crops later on.

Space the plants about 300 mm (12 in) apart for the highest yields. If you grow them closer - say, 200-225 mm (8-9 in) apart - the side shoots will be suppressed and smaller terminal shoots will mature all together, which is useful for freezing.

The best varieties for freezing are ‘Green Comet’ and ‘Premium Crop’.

Calabrese (green sprouting broccoli) freezes well, retaining both its colour and flavour.