Did you know the common crunchy, green, broccoli vegetable comes in different types? Are you even aware that there are about 20 types of broccoli vegetable varieties? Yes, that’s right! And we will be taking a look at some of these broccoli varieties. So, let’s look into: types of broccoli.
Broccoli tops the list of one of the most loved vegetable gardens. This is vegetables are very healthy vegetables that you can grow easily in your vegetable garden in case you’re a lover of this crunchy veg.
Broccoli is a cool-weather crop that can be sown and thrive well in early spring, late fall, or even mid-summer. And there are arrays of choices for USDA hardiness zones 1 to 11 for you to determine the variety that is most likely to flourish at different locations.
So, let’s delve in and look into the various types of broccoli we can find.
Types Of Broccoli Names
As we’ve mentioned, broccoli veg has different varieties. But here are some of their other names: Brassica oleracea, Brassica oleracea italic group, Brócoli, Brocoli, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, and Calabrese.
Types Of Broccoli Seeds
The different types of broccoli variety have different seeds. Here are some varieties of broccoli you may want to know about.
1. Destiny
This is a unique and exception hybrid broccoli seeds or variety that has been specially bred for great heat tolerance in the USDA zone 7 to 11.
Broccoli being a cool weathered crop, it may interest you to know that most broccoli varieties usually don’t grow well in this zone particularly zone 11. But with this destiny broccoli type, gardeners in this zone that wish to enjoy that homegrown broccoli can grow destiny variety as it will do very well in this zone.
This variety yields small to medium-sized green heads and it has a little bit of purple color to them. Harvesting usually takes 70 to 75 days after seed sowing.
2. Calabrese
This variety of broccoli is an heirloom variety native to the Italian region. Calabrese broccoli is the variety that tends to grow well in the USDA hardiness zone 3 to 10.
Although it originated from Italy in Calabria (a southern region in Italy), you can still them in most parts of the United States.
This broccoli variety yields are medium to large green heads. It also takes about 65 days for the seeds of Calabrese broccoli to attain maturity.
3. Waltham 29
This is one of the best types of broccoli known and it is an heirloom variety. Waltham 29 gives rise to multiple thick, blue-green heads that can be from four to eight inches in diameter.
Plant the Waltham 29 seeds around early spring and late fall. It is perfect for zone 3 to 10 and it attains its maturity around 85 days. The maturity of this broccoli variety comes in a uniform fashion for non-stop harvest all through the growing season.
Survival Garden Seeds – Waltham 29 Broccoli Seed for Planting
4. Early Sprouting Broccoli
This sprouting broccoli is an heirloom variety that usually gives rise to the purple broccoli variety. It is cold-hardy heirloom broccoli that tends to give rise to multiple small, purplish florets on each plant rather than on a single large head.
This sprouting purple broccoli grows well in USDA hardiness zone 2 to 11.
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5. Sun King
Sun king is a broccoli variety that is a Burpee exclusive known for its tolerance to heat. It is ideal for USDA zone 1 to 11. Therefore, if you go for this variety of broccoli, it can allow you the privilege of extending your growing season into the summer.
The seeds of Sun King broccoli attain maturity in about 70 days. It gives rise to blue-green heads of 6 to 8 inches in diameter and lots of side shoots.
6. Eastern Magic
Eastern magic is ideal for growers that reside in the colder, northern part of the United States and Canada. Therefore, you can plant this variety in the spring and fall.
Even though this variety is cold-tolerant, Eastern magic broccoli is also a heat-tolerant variety. So, you can prolong your growing season into the summer period. It is a fast-growing broccoli variety that can mature within 60 to 65 days.
Eastern magic will grow into a massive blue-green crown with a tasty flower.
7. Di Cicco
Di Cicco is an Italian heirloom broccoli variety and it is suitable for zone 3 to 10. This broccoli seed variety yields small to medium blue-green heads of non-uniform maturity. Hence, they grow different heads at different rates. So, this might be ideal for a commercial farmer, but it’s also a good trait for home gardeners.
The seeds of Di Cicco usually attain maturity in as little as 50 days.
Read More About When To Harvest Broccoli Rabe
Health Benefits Of Broccoli
Consuming broccoli veg offers great nutritional health benefits.
Below are some of the health benefits of broccoli:
- Broccoli is loaded with sources of vitamins and minerals.
- It is also rich in antioxidants and these antioxidants assist with different conditions. For instance, the body gives rise to free radicals during natural activities such as the metabolic process. Environmental stress also adds to these free radicals. These free radicals tend to cause cell damage that can lead to cancer and other health conditions.
- Apart from these vitamins and minerals broccoli offers, it contains this wonderful sulfur compound known as sulforaphane. This sulfur compound may help with some health conditions, and they include:
Diabetes: some studies have shown that sulforaphane may assist in lowering blood sugar. For people with diabetes 2 or obesity, a better improvement may be noticed in your blood sugar.
Cancer: some natural compounds including sulforaphane contained in broccoli may help with stopping cancer from forming in the body.
Osteoarthritis: sulforaphane can prevent or even slow down the effect of osteoarthritis.
Schizophrenia: although there hasn’t been enough proof shown by scientists regarding this, it is believed that high levels of sulforaphane may assist people with schizophrenia symptoms.
FAQ’s
How many types of broccoli are there?
There are about 20 types of broccoli varieties you can find. These varieties include broccoli rabe, broccoli raab, broccoli di rape, broccoli rosso, broccolini, Chinese broccoli, and broccoli crown. All these varieties are grown for their edible flower heads.
What’s the healthiest type of broccoli?
All broccoli types are healthy and have similar health benefits. However, it is their stalk that contains more fiber. Then their leaves are loaded with antioxidants that protect our cells. They are also rich in Vitamins (e.g vitamin E and K) and minerals.
Does broccoli grow back?
Some varieties are more likely to regrow than others. You can grow them yourself from seed. However, in general, broccoli does not grow back.
What month do you harvest broccoli?
The harvest season for broccoli is early summer, between June and July. This is the time of year when broccoli will be at its peak in terms of flavor and nutritional content.
Broccoli is a member of the cabbage family and is one of the most popular vegetables in the world. It is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, manganese, potassium, and fiber. Broccoli also contains cancer-fighting compounds called glucosinolates. When cooking, the broccoli releases these compounds, making them more bioavailable to the body.
Does broccoli need full sun?
Broccoli needs full sun.
The best time to grow broccoli is in spring, before the weather turns hot and dry. The plants will grow faster and better, and the plants are more likely to survive the summer heat. For your garden, plant the broccoli in a corner of the garden that gets lots of sun.
Types Of Broccoli: Conclusion
We have seen the various types of broccoli you may come across. We have also discussed some of the great health benefits they offer.
So, we hope you’ve been enlightened about the types of broccoli varieties.
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
