Broccoli Lord F1 - Brassica oleracea italica

The 'Lord F1' Broccoli Cabbage is a fast-growing variety with a relatively long harvest spread. Sow from February to April under cover and from April to June in open ground for a harvest 55 days later.

Offering beautiful firm heads, primarily green but sometimes purplish or white, the Broccoli Cabbage, commonly called Broccoli, is a vegetable whose flowers are consumed just before they bloom. It belongs to the large family of Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae) and bears the Latin name Brassica oleracea italica.

Although introduced to France by Catherine de Medici under the name Italian Asparagus, Broccoli has only been cultivated on a large scale since the 1980s.

Originally from southern Italy, this cabbage, with its mild flavour, is now highly appreciated as it lends itself to many preparations. It is best consumed quickly, steamed, and then prepared in various ways: sautéed, gratin, quiche, mashed, soup... It is a low-calorie vegetable and rich in vitamin C.

Like almost all cabbages (Brussels sprouts being an exception), Broccoli Cabbage is a demanding vegetable, requiring excellent base fertilisation and regular moisture.

NB: This variety is labelled F1 for "F1 hybrid" because it results from the cross-breeding of carefully selected parents to combine their qualities. This results in a variety that can be exceptionally flavourful and early-maturing while also being resistant to certain diseases. Sometimes criticised or wrongly associated with GMOs, F1 hybrid seeds are attractive for their uniformity and resistance. Still, unfortunately, their qualities do not pass on to the next generations: it will, therefore, not be possible to save the seeds for future sowing.

Harvest: Broccoli is harvested by cutting with a knife in two stages: first, the terminal head is harvested, then the lateral heads.

Storage: Broccoli Cabbage does not keep very well. It is best to consume it quickly after harvest. It can be kept for a few days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it after blanching for 3 minutes in salted boiling water.

Gardener's tip: In recent years, the Cabbage Midge (Contarinia nasturtii), a petite-winged piercing and sucking fly, has been causing havoc on Broccoli Cabbages in certain regions. We recommend opting for prevention by installing insect-proof netting tightly on market garden hoops throughout the flight period, from mid-May to mid-July. These nets are easy to set up and reusable to protect, for example, your carrot and leek crops.