12 Top Performing Broccoli Varieties
[blackoutgallery id=”66706″]
-
-
1 of 12
Paraiso
Hybrid broccoli Paraiso is good for bunching, crown cut, and florets. It is well suited for processing for florets and matures 75 days after transplanting (95 to 98 days after direct sowing). The plant has a good upright habit, and produces heads with a good dome and fine, dark-green beads. It also has excellent postharvest shelf life. Available from American Takii.
-
2 of 12
Gemini
With uniform heads, a concentrated harvest and nice presentation, this fresh market hybrid is perfect for summer and autumn crown production. Available from Harris Moran.
-
3 of 12
Constellation
With a very erect plant, dense head, concentrated harvest and clean stem, this fresh market hybrid is perfect for summer and autumn crown production. Available from Harris Moran.
-
4 of 12
Blue Wind
Blue Wind's heads are medium sized, blue-green with small, attractive beads. Attractive, easy to harvest, and uniform. Harvest promptly because Blue Wind does not hold in the field as well as later varieties. Unsized seed. Available from Johnny's Selected Seeds.
-
5 of 12
Tahoe RZ
High-yield potential. Performs best from cool to warm conditions with. Head is smooth, dense and high domed. Excellent for crowns. Small to medium beads are uniform. Color is an attractive dark green. Available from Rispens Seeds.
-
6 of 12
Emerald Crown
Emerald Crown is a medium-maturing, very uniform, heavy-headed, domed variety with small beads on a small-framed plant. The growing season for Emerald Crown is warm to cool (not for rainy season). Emerald Crown can extend the Green Magic slot into cold due to its resistance to purpling. This variety produces excellent quality crown cuts/short trim in all NAFTA regions. Available from Sakata Seed America and Clifton Seed Co.
-
7 of 12
Centennial
Centennial has small beads, smooth heads, and minimal sideshoots. This multi-use variety performs well in all Marathon slots and can be grown year-round in the cool coastal growing regions. Available from Sakata Seed America.
-
8 of 12
Marathon
As an industry standard in broccoli, Marathon is widely adaptable. From California to Arizona to Mexico and Central America, this variety has yielded outstanding results for fresh-market bunching, processing, and the increasingly popular crown cut market. Marathon has a high dome, small bead, and heavy head. Available from Sakata Seed America.
-
9 of 12
Imperial
Imperial performs best during long-day conditions with moderate heat and is mid to mid-late maturing under these conditions. This variety has a tight dome with nice, small, dark-green beads. Imperial is multi-use — performing well for bunch, crown cut, and processing. It has excellent postharvest shelf life, too. Available from Sakata Seed America.
-
10 of 12
Avenger
Avenger is an excellent choice for the crown cut and processing markets. It offers dome-shaped, tight, heavy, blue-green heads with short bracts, thick stems and very small beads. This variety has wide adaptability performing well in the U.S., Mexico, and Guatemala. Available from Sakata Seed America.
-
11 of 12
Lieutenant
Lieutenant is well suited for the first planting in spring. It matures early and quickly, making a smooth quality head that shows good holding ability compared to others in its class. Matures in 58 days. Available from Seedway.
-
12 of 12
Asteroid
This high-quality bunching and crown cut broccoli has a clean steam, nice and attractive dark-green color with a smooth dome and a very erect and easy to harvest plant. Available from Harris Moran and Stokes Seeds.
View all
Paraiso
Gemini
Constellation
Blue Wind
Tahoe RZ
Emerald Crown
Centennial
Marathon
Imperial
Avenger
Lieutenant
Asteroid
Browse the slideshow for details on 12 top broccoli varieties from the nation’s leading seed breeders and distributors.
Subscribe Today For
Alexander is a former associate editor with American Vegetable Grower® and currently a contributing writer in Denver, CO. See all author stories here.