Burpee Hybrid Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica 'Burpee Hybrid'
A reliable hybrid broccoli that produces large, tight heads with excellent uniformity and heat tolerance. This variety is prized for its ability to produce substantial side shoots after the main head is harvested, extending the harvest season significantly.
Harvest
70-80d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
6–9
USDA hardiness
Height
10-24 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Burpee Hybrid Broccoli in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 brassica →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Burpee Hybrid Broccoli · Zones 6–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | May – June | April – June | July – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | March – May | June – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | January – January | February – March | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | January – March | April – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits dry and split when ripe.
Color: Brown/Copper, Green. Type: Siliqua. Length: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Edibility: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh broccoli heads keep best in the refrigerator crisper drawer, wrapped loosely in perforated plastic bags. Burpee Hybrid maintains quality for 7-10 days when stored at 32-35°F with high humidity. Don't wash before storing—moisture accelerates deterioration.
For freezing, blanch florets in boiling water for 3 minutes, then plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and freeze in portions. Properly blanched Burpee Hybrid retains excellent texture and flavor for 8-12 months frozen.
Fermentation works wonderfully with this variety's tender stems and mild flavor. Chop heads and stems into small pieces for broccoli kimchi or add to mixed vegetable ferments. The stems pickle particularly well due to their crisp texture.
Dehydrating works best with the smaller side shoots—slice stems thinly and dry florets whole for adding to soups and stews.
History & Origin
Burpee Hybrid Broccoli represents the culmination of decades of selective breeding by the W. Atlee Burpee & Co., America's oldest seed company founded in 1876. This variety was developed in the 1980s during the height of hybrid vegetable development, when Burpee's plant breeders were focused on creating varieties that could extend harvest seasons for home gardeners.
The variety was specifically bred to address two major complaints about broccoli growing: the short harvest window of open-pollinated varieties and poor heat tolerance that caused spring plantings to bolt prematurely. Burpee's breeders crossed heat-tolerant European varieties with productive American lines to create this reliable hybrid.
This breeding program was part of Burpee's response to the growing American interest in home vegetable gardening during the 1970s-80s. The company recognized that home gardeners needed varieties that could produce over longer periods, unlike commercial growers who preferred everything to mature simultaneously. Burpee Hybrid became one of their flagship varieties, helping establish the company's reputation for home garden-focused plant breeding.
Advantages
- +Attracts: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
- +Wildlife value: It serves as a host plant for butterflies, moths, flies, sawflies and beetles.
- +Edible: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and flea beetles, protecting broccoli from these pests
Marigolds
Repels cabbage worms, aphids, and other brassica pests with strong scent
Onions
Deters cabbage moths, aphids, and cabbage root maggots with sulfur compounds
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control cabbage worms
Lettuce
Provides ground cover and efficient space use without competing for nutrients
Spinach
Compatible growth habits and helps maximize garden space utilization
Celery
Repels cabbage white butterflies and other brassica pests
Garlic
Natural fungicide properties help prevent clubroot and other soil-borne diseases
Keep Apart
Tomatoes
Competes for similar nutrients and may stunt broccoli growth
Strawberries
Both plants inhibit each other's growth through allelopathic effects
Mustard
Same plant family attracts identical pests and diseases, increasing infestation risk
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #747447)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to downy mildew and black rot
Common Pests
Cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, cabbage loopers
Diseases
Clubroot, black rot, downy mildew