Broccoli Red Fire F1 - Brassica oleracea italica

The 'Red Fire F1' Broccoli Cabbage is a productive and hardy variety that produces beautiful purple bouquets. This broccoli cabbage is perfect for winter cultivation and is resistant to cold temperatures down to -20 °C (- 4°F). Sow in mid-June for planting a month later and harvesting from March the following year.

Offering lovely firm bouquets, primarily green but sometimes purplish or white, the Broccoli Cabbage, commonly known as Broccoli, is consumed just before its flowers bloom. It belongs to the large family of Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae) and has 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 typically consumed quickly, steamed, and then prepared in various ways: sautéed, gratin, quiche, puree, soup, etc. It is a low-calorie vegetable and rich in vitamin C.

Like almost all cabbages (Brussels sprouts being the exception), Broccoli Cabbage is a demanding vegetable, requiring excellent organic fertiliser 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 subsequent 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 bouquet, then the lateral bouquets.

Storage: Broccoli Cabbage does not keep well. It is best consumed quickly after harvest. It can be kept in the refrigerator for a few days. 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 such as Brittany. We recommend prevention by installing an insect-proof cover on vegetable hoops throughout the flight period, from mid-May to mid-July. These covers are easy to set up and reusable to protect, for example, your carrot and leek crops.