Broccoli Marcus F1 (untreated) - Brassica oleracea italica

The Broccoli 'Marcus F1' is a vigorous variety that produces large, fine-grained heads that are easy to harvest. This Broccoli is known for its reliability and disease resistance. It can be sown from March to late July for a harvest from August to late November.

Offering firm and compact florets, usually green but sometimes purple or white, the Broccoli, commonly known as Broccoli, is a vegetable whose flowers are consumed just before they 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 mild-flavoured cabbage is now highly appreciated as it lends itself to many preparations. It is commonly consumed steamed and then prepared in various ways: quickly 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 is a demanding vegetable, requiring excellent base fertilisation and regular moisture.

Note: This variety is labelled F1 for "F1 hybrid" because it is derived 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 central head is harvested, then the lateral heads.

Storage: Broccoli does not keep very well. It is best to consume it quickly after harvesting. It can be refrigerated for a few days. It can also be frozen after blanching for 3 minutes in salted boiling water.

Handy gardening tip: In recent years, the Cabbage Midge (Contarinia nasturtii), a small winged fly that stings and sucks, has been causing havoc on Broccoli in certain regions. We recommend preventive measures by installing insect-proof nets on market garden hoops during the entire 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.