Waltham 29 Broccoli is one of America's most trusted heirloom broccoli varieties, renowned for its dependable performance, exceptional cold tolerance, and delicious blue-green heads. Developed at the University of Massachusetts and released in the 1950s, Waltham 29 quickly became the standard by which many home garden broccoli varieties are measured. This open-pollinated heirloom produces large central heads followed by an abundance of tender side shoots, extending the harvest for weeks after the main head is cut. It remains one of the finest broccoli varieties for fall gardens and cooler climates. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Waltham 29 offers the classic broccoli flavor gardeners love—sweet, mild, and slightly nutty with crisp, tender stems and tightly packed florets. Cool autumn temperatures enhance its natural sweetness, making fall harvests especially flavorful.
Start seeds indoors 5 to 7 weeks before transplanting or sow directly outdoors for fall harvests. Space plants 18–24 inches apart in fertile soil enriched with compost. Broccoli grows best during cool weather with consistent moisture. Harvest the central head while the flower buds remain tight, then continue harvesting side shoots for several weeks. Waltham 29 performs especially well as a fall crop because of its exceptional cold tolerance.
Harvest the main head when it reaches full size but before individual flower buds begin to loosen or open. Cut several inches below the head to encourage vigorous side shoot production. Fresh broccoli keeps well under refrigeration for about one week and freezes exceptionally well after blanching.
| Botanical Name | Brassica oleracea var. italica |
| Plant Type | Cool-season annual |
| Head Color | Blue-Green |
| Head Size | 4–8 Inches |
| Days to Harvest | 75–90 days |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun |
| Harvest | Main Head plus Side Shoots |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Early Dream Broccoli is a premium hybrid variety developed for gardeners who want exceptionally early harvests without sacrificing head size or quality. Producing large, tightly packed blue-green heads in significantly less time than many traditional broccoli varieties, Early Dream is ideal for spring gardens, early summer harvests, and succession planting. Its vigorous growth, dependable performance, and sweet, tender flavor make it an excellent choice for both beginning and experienced gardeners seeking an early crop of fresh, nutritious broccoli.
Early Dream produces tender, crisp florets with a mild, sweet flavor and subtle nutty notes. The tightly packed heads remain fine-textured and delicious whether eaten fresh, lightly steamed, roasted, or incorporated into countless favorite recipes.
Start seeds indoors 5 to 6 weeks before transplanting outdoors or sow directly once cool weather arrives. Space plants 18 inches apart in fertile, compost-enriched soil. Maintain even moisture and consistent fertility throughout the growing season. Harvest the central head before flower buds begin to loosen, allowing side shoots to continue developing for additional harvests.
Harvest the main head when it is firm, fully developed, and composed of tight flower buds. Cut several inches below the head with a sharp knife. Smaller side shoots often continue forming for several weeks afterward. Fresh broccoli stores well under refrigeration for about one week and freezes exceptionally well after blanching.
| Botanical Name | Brassica oleracea var. italica |
| Plant Type | Cool-season annual |
| Head Color | Blue-Green |
| Head Size | 5–7 Inches |
| Days to Harvest | 55–60 days |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun |
| Harvest | Main Head plus Side Shoots |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Godzilla Hybrid Broccoli lives up to its legendary name by producing enormous, dense blue-green heads on vigorous, high-yielding plants. Bred for outstanding size, uniformity, and garden performance, this premium hybrid delivers impressive central heads that can weigh several pounds under ideal growing conditions, followed by a generous crop of tender side shoots. With excellent flavor, strong disease tolerance, and dependable production in both spring and fall gardens, Godzilla Hybrid is an outstanding choice for gardeners who want maximum harvests from every plant.
Despite its impressive size, Godzilla Hybrid maintains outstanding flavor. The florets are sweet, mild, and slightly nutty with a crisp, tender texture. Cool weather enhances the natural sweetness, making fall-grown crops especially delicious. The thick stems are equally flavorful and become tender when peeled.
Start seeds indoors 5 to 7 weeks before transplanting or sow directly outdoors for fall crops. Space plants 18–24 inches apart to allow room for the exceptionally large heads to develop. Provide fertile soil, consistent moisture, and regular feeding for maximum head size. Harvest the central head before flower buds begin to loosen, allowing numerous side shoots to continue production.
Harvest the main head while it is firm, compact, and deep blue-green with tightly closed flower buds. Cut several inches below the head using a sharp knife. Continue harvesting side shoots regularly to extend the season. Fresh broccoli stores well in the refrigerator for about one week and freezes exceptionally well after blanching.
| Botanical Name | Brassica oleracea var. italica |
| Plant Type | Cool-season annual |
| Head Color | Blue-Green |
| Head Size | 8–10+ Inches |
| Days to Harvest | 75–85 days |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun |
| Harvest | Main Head plus Side Shoots |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Artwork Hybrid Broccoli is a premium, early-maturing variety prized for its beautifully domed blue-green heads, exceptional uniformity, and dependable garden performance. This vigorous hybrid produces dense, finely textured heads with small, tightly packed florets that are ideal for fresh market bunching, home gardens, and gourmet kitchens. With excellent flavor, strong field performance, and reliable side-shoot production after the main harvest, Artwork is an outstanding broccoli for gardeners seeking both beauty and productivity.
Artwork Hybrid delivers a sweet, mild broccoli flavor with subtle nutty notes and crisp, tender florets. Cool growing conditions enhance its natural sweetness, while the fine bead structure provides a smooth, delicate texture that remains excellent whether steamed, roasted, stir-fried, or served fresh.
Start seeds indoors 5 to 7 weeks before transplanting outdoors or sow directly for fall harvests. Space plants 18–24 inches apart in fertile, compost-enriched soil. Maintain consistent soil moisture and regular fertilization to encourage vigorous growth and well-developed heads. Harvest the central head before the flower buds begin to loosen, allowing numerous side shoots to continue production.
Harvest the main head while it is compact, firm, and deep blue-green with tightly closed flower buds. Cut several inches below the head with a sharp knife. Continue harvesting side shoots as they develop to extend production for several additional weeks. Fresh broccoli stores well under refrigeration for about one week and freezes exceptionally well after blanching.
| Botanical Name | Brassica oleracea var. italica |
| Plant Type | Cool-season annual |
| Head Color | Blue-Green |
| Head Size | 6–8 Inches |
| Days to Harvest | 70–75 days |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun |
| Harvest | Main Head plus Side Shoots |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Gypsy Hybrid Broccoli is an award-winning hybrid variety celebrated for its adaptability, dependable yields, and beautiful blue-green heads. Known for producing uniform, dome-shaped crowns with fine, tightly packed florets, Gypsy performs exceptionally well across a wide range of climates and growing conditions. Its vigorous plants mature early, tolerate summer heat better than many broccoli varieties, and continue producing tender side shoots after the main harvest. With excellent flavor and outstanding reliability, Gypsy Hybrid has become a favorite among home gardeners, market growers, and commercial producers alike.
Gypsy Hybrid has a mild, sweet flavor with subtle nutty notes and crisp, tender florets. Cool weather enhances its natural sweetness, while the stems remain succulent and flavorful. The fine bead structure creates an exceptionally pleasant texture whether eaten fresh or cooked.
Start seeds indoors 5 to 6 weeks before transplanting or sow directly for fall harvests. Space plants 18–24 inches apart in fertile soil enriched with compost. Maintain consistent moisture throughout the growing season and provide regular feeding for maximum head development. Harvest the central head while flower buds remain tightly closed, then continue harvesting side shoots as they mature.
Harvest the main head when it is firm, compact, and deep blue-green before individual flower buds begin to loosen. Cut several inches below the crown to encourage side shoot production. Fresh broccoli stores well under refrigeration for about one week and freezes exceptionally well after blanching.
| Botanical Name | Brassica oleracea var. italica |
| Plant Type | Cool-season annual |
| Head Color | Blue-Green |
| Head Size | 6–8 Inches |
| Days to Harvest | 58–65 days |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun |
| Harvest | Main Head plus Side Shoots |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Diplomat Hybrid Broccoli is a premium main-season variety prized for its exceptional uniformity, dense blue-green heads, and outstanding field performance. Bred for reliable production under a wide range of growing conditions, Diplomat develops large, finely beaded crowns with excellent texture and rich flavor. Its vigorous plants exhibit strong disease resistance, excellent holding ability in the garden, and dependable harvests, making it a favorite of both commercial growers and home gardeners seeking professional-quality broccoli.
Diplomat offers a mild, sweet broccoli flavor with delicate nutty notes and exceptionally tender florets. The tightly packed heads develop a crisp yet succulent texture that holds up beautifully whether steamed, roasted, stir-fried, or served fresh. Cool autumn weather further enhances its natural sweetness.
Start seeds indoors 5 to 7 weeks before transplanting or sow directly outdoors for fall production. Space plants 18–24 inches apart in fertile, compost-enriched soil. Maintain even soil moisture and provide regular feeding throughout the growing season. Harvest the central head while flower buds remain tight and unopened. Some plants will continue producing smaller side shoots after the main harvest.
Harvest heads when they are firm, compact, and deep blue-green before flower buds begin to expand. Diplomat is noted for its excellent field holding ability, allowing a slightly longer harvest window without sacrificing quality. Fresh broccoli stores well under refrigeration for about one week and freezes exceptionally well after blanching.
| Botanical Name | Brassica oleracea var. italica |
| Plant Type | Cool-season annual |
| Head Color | Blue-Green |
| Head Size | 6–8 Inches |
| Days to Harvest | 68–75 days |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun |
| Harvest | Main Head with Limited Side Shoots |
| Difficulty | Easy |