Green Goliath Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica 'Green Goliath'
A hybrid powerhouse that produces massive 6-8 inch heads on sturdy plants that tower over other broccoli varieties. Green Goliath lives up to its name with exceptional heat tolerance and the ability to produce substantial side shoots after the main head is harvested, extending your harvest season significantly.
Harvest
55-65d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
6–9
USDA hardiness
Height
10-24 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Green Goliath Broccoli in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 brassica →Zone Map
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Green Goliath 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 | June – 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 | May – 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 | 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
Fresh Green Goliath heads store best unwashed in perforated plastic bags in your refrigerator's crisper drawer, maintaining quality for 7-10 days at 32-35°F with high humidity. The large, dense heads hold their texture better than many varieties, making them excellent for meal planning.
For freezing, blanch florets in boiling water for 3-4 minutes (slightly longer than standard broccoli due to the denser texture), then plunge into ice water before draining and freezing in portions. Green Goliath's substantial structure makes it particularly suitable for roasted vegetable medleys after thawing. The variety also excels in fermented preparations – try lacto-fermenting florets with garlic and spices for a probiotic-rich condiment that maintains much of the original crunch. Dehydrating works well too, though slice thick stems thinly for even drying.
History & Origin
Green Goliath represents modern hybrid breeding at its finest, developed in the 1980s by American seed companies seeking to create a broccoli variety that could withstand increasing climate challenges while delivering superior yields. The variety emerged from crossing heat-tolerant European varieties with large-headed American cultivars, specifically targeting commercial growers and home gardeners in transitional climate zones where traditional broccoli struggled.
Breeders focused on three key traits: exceptional head size (hence the 'Goliath' name), improved heat tolerance for extended growing seasons, and robust side shoot production for continuous harvest. The variety gained prominence in the 1990s as organic gardening surged and home gardeners demanded varieties that could match commercial productivity without sacrificing flavor.
Unlike heirloom varieties with centuries of history, Green Goliath's 'history' is still being written in gardens across America, where it has earned a reputation as the go-to variety for gardeners who want restaurant-quality heads without the fussy growing requirements of more temperamental varieties.
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, repels cabbage worms
Marigolds
Repels cabbage moths, whiteflies, and nematodes with strong scent
Onions
Repels cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles with sulfur compounds
Garlic
Deters cabbage loopers and aphids, may reduce fungal diseases
Dill
Attracts beneficial wasps that parasitize cabbage worms
Lettuce
Utilizes space efficiently as ground cover, doesn't compete for nutrients
Spinach
Shallow roots don't compete, matures quickly before broccoli needs full space
Carrots
Deep taproot breaks up soil, doesn't compete with shallow broccoli roots
Keep Apart
Tomatoes
Competes for similar nutrients and may stunt broccoli growth
Strawberries
May inhibit broccoli growth and both are susceptible to similar fungal diseases
Pole Beans
Can shade broccoli and compete for nitrogen despite being nitrogen-fixing
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 clubroot and downy mildew
Common Pests
Cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, cabbage loopers
Diseases
Black rot, clubroot, downy mildew, white rust