Brassica oleracea (Italica Group) 'De Cicco'
vegetableDe Cicco is an Italian heirloom broccoli introduced around 1890, prized by home gardeners for its long, generous production rather than one big supermarket head. It forms a modest 3 to 4 in. blue-green central head, then keeps pumping out a steady run of tender side shoots for weeks after the main head is cut. Plants mature somewhat unevenly, which is a feature for the kitchen garden - a continuous trickle of broccoli rather than a glut. Compact and quick, De Cicco is also excellent for fall sowing and for cut-and-come-again harvesting.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 4 days
Harvest
~50 days
Difficulty
medium
Lifecycle
biennial
Leaves year 1, flowers year 2
Spacing
12-18 in. apart
Planting Depth
Seed 1/2 in. deep
Soil pH
6.0-7.5
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 10
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
At transplant and every 3 to 4 weeks
Fertilizer
Balanced 10-10-10; nitrogen-rich early
Start De Cicco indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost and transplant out 2 weeks before it, or direct sow 1/2 in. deep; for a fall crop, sow in mid to late summer. Space plants 12 to 18 in. apart in rows 24 to 36 in. apart in rich, well-drained soil. Broccoli is a heavy feeder that needs steady nitrogen and consistent moisture for tender heads - drought or heat triggers premature flowering (bolting). Cut the central head promptly to push the plant into producing the abundant side shoots De Cicco is known for.
spring planting
Start seeds indoors
Mar 11
Transplant outdoors
Apr 1
Projected first harvest
May 21
fall planting
Start seeds indoors
Jul 14
Transplant outdoors
Aug 18
Projected first harvest
Oct 7
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Cover with floating row cover, handpick green caterpillars off heads, and use Bt for heavy pressure
Aphids nestle into the head - blast them off with water, soak cut heads in salt water before cooking, and plant dill for predators
Row cover young transplants against shothole feeding
Exclude the moths with row cover and treat larvae with Bt
Use row cover at transplant and place collars around stems to block egg-laying at the soil line
Cut the central De Cicco head while the buds are still tight, deep green, and beaded - before any yellow petals show, which means it is bolting. Cut the main head with 5 to 6 in. of stem, and the plant will respond with weeks of pencil-thin side shoots; keep cutting these regularly to prolong production. Harvest in the cool morning. De Cicco side shoots are tender and quick-cooking, ideal for stir-fries and steaming.
Broccoli is an excellent source of vitamin C - about 89 mg per 100 g - plus vitamin K, folate, and fiber at only around 34 calories per 100 g. It is the best-known dietary source of sulforaphane, a compound formed from its glucosinolates that is widely studied for cancer-protective and anti-inflammatory effects. De Cicco side shoots deliver the same nutrition as the main head in tender, frequent harvests.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.
spring planting
fall planting