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Growing Calabrese - How to Grow Calabrese

Calabrese

The supermarkets have helped to confuse the issue of what is broccoli and what a calabrese by calling both by either name. The simple thing to keep in mind is that broccoli is an over wintered crop but calabrese produces its crop the same year before winter. Even the seed suppliers blur the lines though!

The flavour of calabrese is milder and much preferred by many to sprouting broccoli and it is an easier crop to grow.

Both are brassicas and the general brassica growing instructions apply. Like most of the brassicas they are affected by clubroot and, if this is a problem on your vegetable plot, you should read the coping with clubroot article.

Cultivating Calabrese

The flavour of calabrese is milder and much preferred by many to sprouting broccoli and it is an easier crop to grow. Sowing is usually early spring, under glass to plant out in June and July to provide a crop from August through October, depending on the variety grown.

Calabrese doesn't like having its roots disturbed and starting in modules then moving to pots will enable them to be grown on before planting out without causing root disturbance.

Usual spacing is between 45cm and 60cm each way between plants depending on variety

The usual brassica pests need to be catered for but otherwise a fairly easy crop to grow.

Harvesting & Cooking Calabrese

With most varieties of calabrese you get two crops from a single plant. Initially a central dome will form and this can be harvested. Leave the plant in position and it will then form a flush of secondary shoots that can also be harvested.

Calabrese is best steamed rather than boiled as it will retain its flavour and texture better. Small spears can also be stir-fried.

The thicker stalks are great for making soups like this Broccoli & Stilton Soup

Health Benefits of Broccoli & Calabrese

There have been a number of studies that suggest broccoli can help protect you from cancer. Broccoli contains a chemical called sulphoraphane which helps neutralise cancer-causing substances found in the gut and can help against colon cancer - one of the biggest cancer killers in the UK

Broccoli also contains a compound called I3C that helps boost production of BRCA proteins. These are helpful against some forms of cancer including breast, ovarian and prostrate cancers.

Recommended Varieties of Calabrese to Grow

Belstar F1 can be successionally sown from April to June and will crop through the autumn. Keeps in good condition for a long time, producing plenty of side shoots once the centre head is cut. RHA Award of Garden Merit Winner. Available: Thompson & Morgan

Fiesta F1 is sown later, mid-May to June and crops somewhat later. Particularly good for freezing and tolerant of summer heatwaves. An impressive variety which produces large domed heads, with a consistent weight of 340g (12oz) with medium heads during the late summer-autumn period. Numerous secondary side shoots are produced once the centre head is harvested. Available: Thompson & Morgan

Sakura Speedy is a fast maturing (70 to 80 days) early variety that can be sown from February onwards for use in early summer/autumn (mid-July to September) if you want an early crop. Available Dobies

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