Types of broccoli are the crops that you can grow to enrich your dinner table with nutritious vegetable varieties and will also be an attractive addition to your vegetable garden.

9 Types of Broccoli To Grow in Your Vegetable Garden

Although they have some crucial planting differences, they’re all delicious and healthy. Here you will read  a detailed list of different varieties of outstanding broccoli types to plant and harvest.

List of Broccoli Types for Your Veggie Garden

1. Sprouting Broccoli

Sprouting Broccoli Discerning Properties

Distinguishing characteristics
  • Has long stem
  • There are white and purple varieties, but the purple ones turn green when cooked
Maturity and harvest
  • This variety takes 180 to 220 days to mature
  • Most types will be ready for harvest in January or February
Growth requirements
  • Start the seeds six to eight weeks before the last frost and overwinter this plant to enjoy an early spring harvest
  • You need to grow this veggie in fertile, moist soil and ensure it gets full sun to stay healthy
Pests and diseases
  • Aphids and cabbage loopers will attack this vegetable
  • Downy mildew will stunt the plant’s growth and damage the heads

White and purple varieties of this broccoli will be an excellent addition to your dinner table. The critical difference between sprouting broccoli and the traditional one is that it produces long side shoots with several florets instead of a big head.

The white variety is sweeter and is increasing in popularity. The most common varieties of this broccoli type are the burgundy, red fire, Burbank, and Santee types. The early purple sprouting variety takes about 65 days to develop when you grow them; however, summer varieties can be harvested between September and November.

2. Chinese Broccoli

Chinese Broccoli Maturity Time

Distinguishing characteristics
  • One of the telltale signs of this broccoli is its massive leaves and thick stems
  • This broccoli tastes bitter, so you must soak it in cold water before cooking to improve its taste
Maturity and harvest
  • They usually take between 35 and 55 days to mature
  • This vegetable is typically ready for harvest in late summer or fall
Growth requirements
  • Although it can grow in different soil types, it thrives in sandy loam
  • It thrives in slightly acidic soil and needs one inch of water per week or more if summers are hot
Pests and diseases
  • Diamondback moths usually attack young plants and can stunt their growth
  • White blister or leaf spot infects this plant and affects its look, but the fungal-like infection won’t affect you if you eat them

This Asian broccoli is quite popular due to its short growing time. There are several hybrids and varieties, and some of them have blue-green leaves like the blue wonder variety. Various Chinese broccoli varieties tend to mature faster than other broccoli types.

Green jade and emerald green varieties are more resistant to pests. The happy rich type produces plenty of florets and side shoots. This vegetable needs to grow in a cold climate, where it can spend five to seven weeks in full sun at a temperature between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Broccolini

Broccolini Growth requirements

Distinguishing characteristics
  • Its tender stalks and small florets characterize it, and the stems look like asparagus
  • Compared to various broccoli types, this one tastes sweeter
Maturity and harvest
  • Most varieties take two to three months to mature
  • Planting your plants in mid to late summer will guarantee a healthy harvest in the fall
Growth requirements
  • This variety is more tolerant of warmer temperatures
  • They grow in moist, rich, fertile soil, and ensure it receives at least six hours of full sun
  • Mulching is necessary to keep the plant healthy and control weeds
Pests and diseases
  • Brassica flea beetles attack new plants and can destroy them in 24 hours
  • Mosaic disease causes the yellowing of the leaves

 

Although this is sometimes called baby broccoli, it’s not a young plant. This is a hybrid between Chinese and traditional broccoli. It was hand-pollinated for several years instead of being genetically engineered. Some varieties can be ready for harvest 30 days after planting, as soon as the leaves are bright green.

Different types of broccolini usually have a peppery flavor, and frequent harvesting will encourage growth. Harvesting this plant when stems are about six inches tall is best because if you wait any longer, the leaves and florets will wilt.

However, they can grow in temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and you will harvest them at their best state. As long as the soil is moist, fertile as well, and the sun is bright, the harvest will be ready and healthy.

4. Calabrese

Calabrese Harvesting Method

Distinguishing characteristics
  • It’s the most common type of heirloom broccoli.
  • It produces medium to large heads and is suitable for growing in USDA zones 3 to 10
Maturity and harvest
  • Most varieties mature within 60 to 90 days
  • You can harvest this veggie in late summer or fall before the flowers open
Growth requirements
  • Good-draining soil is essential, but it should retain some moisture to help the broccoli heads develop
  • It must grow in organically rich soil, so providing a nitrogen-high fertilizer will be a good decision
Pests and diseases
  • Aphids, cabbage loopers, and cabbage webworms can damage this crop
  • Alternaria leaf spot will affect foliage and might prevent the heads from developing

 

Calabrese broccoli is one of the famous Italian broccoli types still popular today. This cold hardy broccoli is widespread and easy to care for. They grow in shorter stems but bigger heads on the top of the sprout.

Once you harvest the head, side shoots will appear, providing you with a wide harvesting window. The blue wind variety is one of the earliest to mature. On another note, the destiny and belstar varieties are compact and will work for you if you have a small bed to grow your vegetables, they are still of the same kind, but they grow much smaller, and give you more produce.

5. Raab

Raab Plant Damaged By Pest

Distinguishing characteristics
  • The leaves are mostly eaten but ignore the florets
  • The leaves of this vegetable are pretty popular in Italian cuisine, and they have a slightly bitter and earthy flavor
Maturity and harvest
  • Varieties of the raab are the fastest to mature
  • Depending on when you plant it, you can harvest this plant in early spring, fall, and winter
  • The warm weather encourages flowering, so it gets more bitter
Growth requirements
  • Rabe thrives in full sun, so it should get at least six hours of sunlight to stay healthy
  • The soil should be well-draining and moist, but it’s not a heavy feeder
Pests and diseases
  • Backleg or stem canker is quite common in seedlings
  • Powdery mildew appears on the underside of the leaves
  • Giving your plant too much nitrogen is usually the culprit

The broccoli raab, broccoli rabe, or rapini is a special kind of this vegetable because it’s more related to turnips than broccoli, this is why the leaves are often eaten. This type of brassica is commonly known as Italian broccoli. The Spigariello Liscia and Quarantina types can mature in less than a month because, in general, this is one of the fastest-growing broccoli.

The dark green stems will continue to grow after harvest, guaranteeing this delicious and nutritious veggie a long season. Stems are ready to harvest when they’re about 6 inches tall. Although most varieties mature fast, some might take 60 days to be ready.

6. Green Magic

Green Magic Ideal Characteristics

Distinguishing characteristics
  • Green magic broccoli plant tolerates warmer weather and develops medium-sized smooth heads
  • The heads are usually blue-green
  • This variety is well-prized for its buttery-rich flavor
Maturity and harvest
  • You can expect your broccoli to mature within two to three months
  • Planting this broccoli after the last frost will give you a summer harvest
  • You can also start the seeds indoors and transplant your broccoli for a tasty fall harvest in July
Growth requirements
  • Growing this vegetable in alkaline soil guarantees the best harvest
  • It should also be organically rich and well-draining
  • It should grow in a protected yet sunny spot
Pests and diseases
  • This type is more resistant to downy mildew
  • You can grow marigolds or calendula near your broccoli, as these plants attract beneficial insects that can feed on cabbage loopers

Growing in USDA zones 3 to 9, it is a tasty variety with dark green heads and silvery leaves. After harvesting the head, don’t pull out the plant, as it will continue to produce side shoots. You can use these side shoots as a healthy snack.

Some farmers and gardeners consider this the opposite of the Eastern magic type, which can’t tolerate the warm weather and is considered the largest broccoli variety. This broccoli is prone to cabbage looper infestations, and this is one of the pests that you should be careful about.

7. Sun King

Sun King Disease Issues

Distinguishing characteristics
  • The broccoli has a nice and sweet flavor, and the heads are medium-sized
  • It also continues to produce small sprouting heads after harvest
Maturity and harvest
  • Once the heads are about six to eight inches in diameter, your plant has matured
  • This is mid-season broccoli that continues to produce heads from spring to fall, depending on when you grow it
Growth requirements
  • Slightly acidic, well-draining soil is suitable for this plant
  • You must remove all rocks and add some compost or manure to encourage growth
Pests and diseases
  • Although flea beetles attack this plant, they don’t cause much damage compared to the damage they cause in cabbages
  • The waxy layer on the leaves acts as protection
  • Root-knot nematodes attack the plant from the roots, causing wilt

This is one of the most popular hybrids and is considered specialty broccoli, due to its outstanding heat tolerance. However, after a little bit of time, the vegetable is one of the easier cultivars.

Many homeowners prefer to grow this broccoli, as it’s adapted to grow in USDA zones 1 to 11. This means it can tolerate the coldest and warmest weather without any problems. It also has a sweet flavor that becomes sweeter when the fall frost hits veggies planted in the summer. It’s a mid-season variety that takes about the same time the diplomat broccoli matures.

8. Romanesco

Romanesco Broccoli Plant

Distinguishing characteristics
  • The exotic look of this broccoli makes it an interesting addition to any vegetable garden
  • It’s known as the Roman cauliflower because it looks like a hybrid between the two vegetables
  • It has a distinctive nutty flavor
Maturity and harvest
  • Romanesco broccoli takes between 75 and 100 days
  • Start planting in spring or summer for a fall or early winter harvest
  • Once the heads mature, they should be completely cut off
Growth requirements
  • It’s best to start this plant in a bed with fertile soil to give the roots time to establish
  • It can tolerate some partial shade if you’re growing it in warm weather
Pests and diseases
  • Cabbage caterpillars and diamondback moths are the most dangerous pests that attack this vegetable
  • White blister infection can damage your crop, causing white spots to form on the heads

Types of broccoli romanesco come in a fractal shape. It’s considered a cousin of broccoli and cauliflower and tastes more like the latter. This variety isn’t like other fall broccoli varieties, so you shouldn’t transplant it until the temperature is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit outside.

Celery and potatoes can be good companion plants for this variety. It’s chartreuse in color, and no extra shoots will appear after cutting the head. However, be careful of the issues like white blister infestation, as they may damage the crops.

9. Amadeus

Amadeus Proper Care Process

Distinguishing characteristics
  • This broccoli is an early-season produce, and it produces one large blue-green head
  • The head is more compact than other varieties
  • After harvest, it grows side shoots that last for the whole season
Maturity and harvest
  • Most varieties take 60 days to mature fully
  • Although you can grow broccoli in summer and fall, this type is typically grown for a spring harvest
Growth requirements
  • In colder climates, you should start it indoors
  • Grow this broccoli in fertile and moist soil, leaving more space between broccoli plants if you water it less often
Pests and diseases
  • Bacterial soft rot and black rot can infect this plant
  • The larvae of cutworms attack younger plants and kill them

Amadeus broccoli is mature when the tight heads are blue-green. You can start sowing the seeds in September for an early-season harvest. However, some homeowners continue to plant it till March. The side shoots can be as big as the main head of several broccoli kinds.

Conclusion

Growing broccoli will enrich your vegetable plant with a nutritious and tasty plant. Here’s

  • Sprouting varieties can be purple, white, or green.
  • Some varieties of broccoli, like the Chinese type, are characterized by their sweet taste.
  • Broccolini or baby broccoli grow in warmer weather.
  • The Amadeus type is one of the earliest to mature in your garden.

There are several exciting broccoli names on this list, so choosing the best variety for your garden won’t be a problem.

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