Premium Crop Broccoli Growing Tool

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Premium Crop Broccoli in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Premium Crop Broccoli · Zones 3–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilFertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonCool season

FlavorSweet, nutty flavor with tender stems and florets

ColorDeep blue-green

Size6-8 inch diameter heads

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	March – April	May – June	April – May	July – September
Zone 4	March – April	May – June	April – May	July – October
Zone 5	February – April	April – June	April – May	June – October
Zone 6	February – April	April – June	March – May	June – October
Zone 7	February – April	March – June	March – May	May – October
Zone 8	January – April	March – September	February – April	May – December
Zone 9	December – March	February – September	January – March	April – December
Zone 10	November – February	January – September	December – February	March – December

Complete Growing Guide

Growing Premium Crop broccoli successfully starts with site preparation in early spring. Choose a location with full sun exposure and amend your soil with 2-3 inches of compost or well-aged manure, aiming for a pH between 6.0-7.0. This variety thrives in cool weather, so timing is crucial for your growing zone.

For spring crops in zones 3-7, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed starting mix, maintaining soil temperature around 60-65°F. Once seedlings develop their first true leaves, fertilize weekly with diluted fish emulsion. In zones 8-10, direct sow in late fall or winter for spring harvest, as summers are too hot.

Transplant seedlings when they're 4-6 inches tall and have been hardened off for a week. Space plants 18-24 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart – Premium Crop produces large heads that need room to develop. Water transplants with a dilute starter fertilizer to reduce shock.

Feed your broccoli every 3-4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer high in nitrogen early in the season, then switch to lower nitrogen once heads begin forming to prevent hollow stems. Maintain consistent moisture with 1-2 inches of water weekly, using drip irrigation or soaker hoses to keep leaves dry and prevent disease.

Avoid the common mistake of planting too late in spring – if temperatures consistently exceed 75°F before head formation, you'll get bitter, loose heads that bolt quickly. For continuous harvests, succession plant every 2-3 weeks until 100 days before expected hot weather.

For fall crops, which often produce the best quality heads, count backward 85 days from your first expected frost and start seeds indoors. Fall broccoli tolerates light frosts and actually improves in flavor after cool nights.

Harvesting

Harvest Premium Crop broccoli when heads reach 6-8 inches across and feel firm and tight, with deep blue-green florets still tightly packed. The individual flower buds should be small and uniform – once they begin to separate or show yellow, you've waited too long and the flavor will be bitter.

Cut the main head in early morning when plants are fully hydrated, using a sharp knife to slice the stem 5-6 inches below the head at a 45-degree angle. This angled cut prevents water from pooling and causing stem rot while encouraging side shoot development.

After harvesting the main head, continue fertilizing and watering regularly. Premium Crop excels at producing abundant side shoots that will be ready to harvest in 1-2 weeks. These secondary heads are smaller (2-4 inches) but equally flavorful. Harvest side shoots every few days to keep production going for 4-6 weeks after the initial harvest.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Premium Crop broccoli stores best in the refrigerator, wrapped loosely in perforated plastic bags in the crisper drawer. At 32-35°F with high humidity, heads maintain quality for 10-14 days. Never wash before storing, as excess moisture promotes decay.

For freezing, blanch florets and tender stems in boiling water for 3 minutes, then immediately plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and freeze in portions. Properly blanched Premium Crop maintains excellent texture and flavor for 12 months frozen.

This variety's dense, uniform heads also work well for fermentation – try making broccoli kraut or adding florets to mixed vegetable ferments. The sweet, nutty flavor of Premium Crop intensifies beautifully through lacto-fermentation, creating a tangy preserved vegetable that keeps for months refrigerated.

History & Origin

Premium Crop was developed in Japan during the 1980s by Takii Seed Company, specifically bred to address the challenges commercial growers and serious home gardeners faced with inconsistent head formation and poor heat tolerance in existing varieties. Japanese plant breeders focused on creating an F1 hybrid that combined the large head size desired in American markets with the reliability and disease resistance prioritized in Asian breeding programs.

The variety gained recognition after winning All-America Selections honors, validating its superior performance across diverse growing conditions throughout North America. Takii's breeding program emphasized selecting parent lines with exceptional uniformity and the ability to produce quality side shoots after main harvest – a trait highly valued in Japanese cuisine where the entire plant is utilized.

Premium Crop represents the success of international collaboration in vegetable breeding, combining traditional Japanese attention to consistency and quality with American preferences for large, dense heads suitable for both fresh market and processing applications.

Advantages

+Exceptional heat tolerance extends growing season 2-3 weeks longer than standard varieties
+Produces abundant, high-quality side shoots for extended harvest period of 4-6 weeks
+Dense, uniform 6-8 inch heads with minimal hollow stem issues
+Strong disease resistance to downy mildew and black rot reduces fungicide needs
+Reliable head formation even in variable weather conditions
+Sweet, nutty flavor remains mild even in slightly warm weather
+Excellent freezing quality maintains texture and color after processing

Considerations

-82-85 day maturity is slower than early varieties like De Cicco (48-65 days)
-Requires consistent moisture and fertility for optimal head development
-F1 hybrid seeds cannot be saved for replanting next season
-Large plant size needs generous 18-24 inch spacing, reducing plants per square foot

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for aphids and flea beetles, protecting broccoli from pest damage

Marigolds

Repel cabbage worms, aphids, and other brassica pests with their strong scent

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that prey on cabbage worms

Onions

Repel cabbage moths and root maggots with their sulfur compounds

Lettuce

Provides ground cover and efficient space use without competing for nutrients

Spinach

Grows well in broccoli's partial shade and has similar water requirements

Celery

Repels cabbage white butterflies and provides natural pest deterrent

Thyme

Repels cabbage worms and flea beetles while attracting beneficial pollinators

Keep Apart

Tomatoes

Both are heavy feeders competing for nutrients, and tomatoes may stunt broccoli growth

Strawberries

Compete for space and nutrients, and may attract slugs that also damage broccoli

Pole Beans

May shade broccoli excessively and compete for nitrogen despite being nitrogen-fixing

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Excellent resistance to downy mildew and black rot

Common Pests

Cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, cabbage root maggots

Diseases

Clubroot, black leg, alternaria leaf spot, bacterial soft rot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Premium Crop broccoli take to grow from seed?▼

Premium Crop broccoli takes 82-85 days from seed to harvest, making it a mid-season variety. If starting indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting, expect about 12-14 weeks total from seeding to harvest. The extended growing time is offset by superior head quality and excellent side shoot production.

Can you grow Premium Crop broccoli in containers?▼

Yes, Premium Crop grows well in containers at least 18-20 inches wide and deep. Use a high-quality potting mix amended with compost and ensure consistent moisture and weekly feeding. Container growing actually helps control soil conditions and makes succession planting easier for continuous harvests.

What does Premium Crop broccoli taste like?▼

Premium Crop offers a sweet, nutty flavor with tender stems and florets. The taste is milder and less bitter than many varieties, especially when grown in cool weather. Both the main heads and side shoots maintain excellent eating quality, with crisp texture that holds up well in cooking.

When should I plant Premium Crop broccoli for fall harvest?▼

For fall harvest, start Premium Crop seeds 12-14 weeks before your first expected frost date. In most regions, this means starting seeds in mid to late summer. Fall-grown broccoli often produces the highest quality heads due to cooler growing conditions and can tolerate light frosts.

Is Premium Crop broccoli good for beginners?▼

Premium Crop is excellent for beginners due to its reliable performance and forgiving nature. The variety's heat tolerance and disease resistance help prevent common failures. While it requires consistent watering and feeding, it's much more predictable than heirloom varieties and produces impressive results.

How do you get Premium Crop broccoli to produce side shoots?▼

After harvesting the main head, cut the stem at a 45-degree angle 5-6 inches below where the head was. Continue regular watering and feed with balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Premium Crop naturally produces abundant side shoots within 1-2 weeks of main harvest, continuing for 4-6 weeks.