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Not so long ago, broccoli began to be in demand among gardeners. This vegetable has incredibly beneficial properties for our body. It contains a huge amount of vitamins and minerals. This is a dietary product that is advised to be eaten even by children. What about growing broccoli? There are no problems here either. The vegetable is unpretentious to care and climatic conditions. But among the wide variety of varieties, it can be difficult to choose the most suitable one on your own. In this article, we will take a closer look at the best varieties of broccoli.
Features of broccoli
Broccoli is a close “relative” of the well-known cauliflower. Among the differences between these two types, the following can be noted:
- Broccoli comes in a wide variety of colors, from dark green to brown and purple.
- It is denser and looser.
- The length of the fleshy stems can be about 20 cm.
All varieties can be divided into two types of broccoli. Since childhood, we are more familiar with the first type – Calabrian cabbage. It is a thick stem with dense inflorescences. The second type (Italian) has a more delicate taste and consists of a large number of stems with small loose inflorescences. A photo of this broccoli can be seen below.
As is customary among vegetable crops, broccoli is divided into varieties and hybrids. It would seem that hybrids have more advantages. They are more fertile, ripen quickly and keep longer. Rarely affected by pests and have an excellent appearance. However, there are also disadvantages. This cabbage is not suitable for collecting seeds, as it is not able to maintain its qualities in the second year. It also loses to taste, although sometimes it may not yield.
Varieties, unlike hybrids, are excellent for collecting seed, retain their properties well. They have excellent taste. The ripening period is slightly longer than that of hybrids.
All varieties and hybrids can also be conditionally divided into early, late and mid-season. The difference in terms between early and late varieties can be very large. Therefore, you should carefully choose the seeds for planting. If early hybrids are able to ripen in 45–50 days, then later ones should be expected no earlier than in 100–130 days. The ripening period is especially important in cold regions, where summers are short and not very hot.
Also, all varieties of broccoli are divided by their yield. It all depends on the variety chosen and the quality of the seeds. From one square meter, you can collect 1, and 5, and even 6-7 kilograms of cabbage. The main thing is to choose the right variety for your climatic region and soil conditions.
Early-ripening varieties
«Batavia «F1»
This variety is included in the State Register as mid-season, however, in most regions of Our Country it ripens along with early types of broccoli. The leaves of this cabbage are green with a slight grayish tint. The edges are bubbly and wavy. The head has a rounded shape, rather dense. Inflorescences are easily separated. The head can reach up to 1 kg in weight, and the side heads are about 4 grams. It takes about two months from planting seedlings in open ground to the ripening of the first inflorescences. The variety can also be grown directly by planting seeds directly into the ground. In this case, the landing is carried out not earlier than the last week of April. The yield is very good, from 250 m2 you can get up to 2,5 kg of cabbage. Batavia responds well to hot weather, and is able to bear fruit until frost itself.
“Linda”
This is one of the popular hybrids. In a warm area, the ripening period will be approximately 80-90 days, in other regions – about 100-105 days. The fruit is quite large, its weight can be up to 400 grams. Deep green elliptical cabbage. Lateral inflorescences weighing about 55-70 grams each. Bush of medium height. On one square meter of beds, you can collect up to 3 or 4 kg of broccoli. Sowing seeds for seedlings begins in mid-March and ends at the end of April. Plant seeds in stages every ten days. The variety is rich in vitamins and iodine. Eat fresh and canned food.
“Lord F1”
Incredibly tasty cabbage. With proper care, high yields can be achieved. Sowing for seedlings is carried out from mid-March to mid-April. Broccoli is planted in open ground at the end of April. You can immediately plant the seeds in the garden. Corrugated leaves, dark green. The stem is dense and strong. The head is rounded, slightly flattened, weighing about one and a half kilograms. Inflorescences are easily separated. The maturity of the fetus occurs after 2 months. This is a very good indicator for broccoli. Lateral inflorescences continue to form until late autumn, each weighing approximately 150-200 grams. About four kilograms of cabbage are harvested from 1 meter. It has a positive effect on the state of blood vessels and the heart.
“Tone”
Broccoli cabbage variety “Tonus” is one of the most ancient. The weight of each head is about 200 grams. The density of inflorescences is average, tends to fade into color. The fruit has a brown tint. Lateral inflorescences reach up to 65 grams in weight, the crop is given together. Sowing seeds begins in March. Transplantation into the ground has been carried out since May, but at first the plant should be under temporary shelter. Harvesting begins towards the end of June. With proper care, fruiting can be extended until the first frost. Cabbage tastes great and is rich in vitamins and minerals. Suitable for freezing and canning. Productivity – no more than 2 kg of cabbage from 1 m2.
Medium-ripening varieties
“Ironman f1”
This is a high yielding hybrid. It has green leaves with a pronounced blue tint. A head of medium size, firm, about 500 grams in weight. The shape of the head is dome-shaped, has a blue-green tint. Side shoots are growing well. From the moment of planting the seedlings to the full ripening of the first fruits, about 80 days pass. Seeds are planted in mid-March, and after 45-50 days they begin planting in open ground. From one unit of area, you can collect up to 3 kg of fruit.
“Gnome”
Cabbage is distinguished by small gray-green elliptical heads. A head of cabbage can weigh up to 550-600 grams. Inflorescences of medium density and excellent taste. After the main head is cut, lateral inflorescences quickly grow. They can weigh about 150-200 grams. Like most varieties, seedlings are planted in March, after 35-45 days the seedlings will be completely ready for planting in the garden. The first fruits will ripen within 70 days after planting. From a plot of one square meter, it will be possible to collect from 2 to 4 kg of broccoli. This variety is suitable for fresh storage and canning.
Late varieties
“Agassi F1”
The variety belongs to hybrid annual plants. It is a strong shrub with a rounded slightly flattened head. The weight of a head of cabbage can reach up to 700 grams. Landing in the garden or under shelter is carried out at the end of April. You can plant in stages with an interval of about 10 days. The fruit ripening process can last 80 days. Productivity is high, up to 3,5-4 kg per square meter.
“Marathon F1”
The variety belongs to high-yielding hybrids. The head of cabbage has an elliptical shape and weight up to 700-800 grams. The color of the head is blue-green, inflorescences of medium density. Lateral shoots are well developed, grow quickly and in large numbers. It has high resistance to pests, but does not tolerate hot weather. The ripening period lasts about 80 days. From 1 m2 you can collect up to 3 kg of excellent cabbage. Suitable for eating in any form. It is in great demand among lovers of broccoli.
Conclusion
All of the above varieties can be easily grown in your garden or greenhouse. Undeservedly, broccoli is found in vegetable gardens much less frequently than ordinary varieties of cabbage. But this vegetable is one of the most vitamin. And about the possibilities in cooking, in general, you can talk for days. At the same time, broccoli retains almost all of its beneficial properties when frozen. Some varieties do not need processing, they can be stored fresh for months. If you are still thinking about whether to plant broccoli in your area, then rather decide.
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