De Cicco Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica
A traditional Italian heirloom variety producing small, avg. 3-4", main heads projected well above the foliage followed by a large yield of side-shoot spears. Nonuniform in maturity, resulting in a long harvest period. Grow as later succession to BC1611. Longer harvest period than other sprouting broccoli varieties, with more variation in shoot size. For spring or fall production. Pinching recommended to encourage heavier side-shoot production. Unsized seed. USDA Certified Organic.
Harvest
45d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
6–9
USDA hardiness
Height
10-24 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for De Cicco Broccoli in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 brassica →Zone Map
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De Cicco 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 | June – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | May – June | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | March – April | April – December |
| Zone 9 | January – January | February – March | February – March | March – December |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | January – March | March – 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
Store fresh De Cicco broccoli unwashed in perforated plastic bags in your refrigerator's crisper drawer. Optimal storage temperature is 32°F with 95% humidity — it will maintain quality for 7-10 days. Never store at room temperature, as broccoli deteriorates rapidly, losing both flavor and nutritional value.
For freezing, blanch clean florets in boiling water for 3 minutes, then immediately plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and freeze in portions suitable for your cooking needs. Properly blanched De Cicco maintains excellent texture for up to 12 months frozen.
Due to its tender texture, De Cicco excels in fermentation projects. Chop florets and stems for adding to kimchi or sauerkraut — the stems provide excellent crunch and the mild flavor doesn't overpower other vegetables. You can also dehydrate smaller florets at 125°F until crisp for adding to soups and stews throughout winter.
History & Origin
De Cicco broccoli traces its roots to southern Italy, where it was developed in the late 1800s by Italian market gardeners who needed a reliable variety for continuous harvest. The name "De Cicco" honors the Italian-American family who brought seeds to the United States in the early 1900s and helped establish it in American gardens.
This variety became particularly popular among Italian immigrants settling in California and the northeastern United States, who valued its ability to produce multiple harvests from a single plant — crucial for families depending on home gardens for fresh vegetables. Unlike the large-headed varieties developed for commercial agriculture, De Cicco remained true to its market garden origins, prioritizing flavor and extended productivity over uniform appearance.
By the 1940s, De Cicco had earned recognition in American seed catalogs as an exceptional home garden variety. Its genetics likely derive from the Calabrese broccoli types that originated in southern Italy's Calabria region, explaining its excellent heat tolerance compared to northern European brassica varieties. Today, it's preserved by seed savers who recognize its unique combination of productivity and superior eating quality.
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
Basil
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve flavor
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cabbage worms, repels cucumber beetles
Marigold
Deters cabbage moths and other brassica pests with strong scent
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control cabbage worms
Lettuce
Provides living mulch, efficient space use as it matures before broccoli needs full space
Spinach
Compatible root systems, harvested before broccoli reaches maturity
Onions
Repels cabbage moths, aphids, and cabbage root maggots with sulfur compounds
Celery
Repels cabbage white butterflies and improves growth through root interactions
Keep Apart
Tomatoes
Compete for similar nutrients, tomatoes can inhibit broccoli growth
Strawberries
Both are heavy feeders that compete for nutrients, can stunt broccoli development
Mustard
Same family (Brassicaceae), attracts similar pests and diseases, depletes soil nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #747447)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good heat tolerance for broccoli, moderate disease resistance
Common Pests
Cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, diamondback moths
Diseases
Clubroot, downy mildew, black rot, alternaria leaf spot