Waltham 29 Broccoli Seeds

Brassica oleracea s. italica

From Ophidian Farms - always organic!

85 days.  Waltham is a great cool-climate Broccoli variety that produces nice medium-sized heads and a fine crop of side shoots! Plants are non-uniform in maturity, resulting in a prolonged harvest period, which is ideal for the home vegetable garden. This Waltham Broccoli is easy to grow and delicious, taking 85 days to reach maturity.

Waltham 29 broccoli seed is named for Waltham, MA, where researchers at the University of Massachusetts developed it in 1950. However, the plant from which modern broccoli plant seed is derived first grew in the wild in the Mediterranean region and in Asia Minor. Broccoli gradually spread to the rest of Europe and to the New World, where Thomas Jefferson included this strange new vegetable in his experimental garden. The Italians appreciated it so much that it got the name "Italian asparagus." After World War I, Italian brothers Stefano and Andrea D'Arrigo brought their Sicilian variety of broccoli and began growing it in San Jose, Calfornia; they later shipped it to Boston's North End, where it established a quickly expanding market.

Heirloom, open-pollinated, organically-grown seeds.

Botanical Names: Brassica oleracea s. italica
Family: Brassicaceae
Common Names: Waltham 29 Broccoli
Life Cycle: Biennial
Plant Type: Vegetable

Requirements:

Broccoli plant seeds grow best in cool weather, so starting the Waltham 29 broccoli seeds indoors 5-6 weeks before the last expected frost will ensure a faster crop. Shortly before the last frost and when the seedlings reach about 6" tall, plant them 1-2' apart in rows 2-3' apart. For direct sowing seeds, plant them 1" deep and 3" apart in full sun and rich soil, about 2-3 weeks before the last expected spring frost; germination can take place at temperatures as low as 40 degrees F. For fall planting, direct sow the seeds in late July or August. For companion planting benefits, plant broccoli with herbs, potatoes, or onions; avoid planting it with tomatoes or pole beans.

Keep the young plants watered and remove weeds. Mulch helps discourage weeds and regulate soil temperature, and several applications of fertilizer or compost may also be needed. If several nights of below freezing temperatures are expected, cover the plants. If they become topheavy as they grow, provide a stake for support.

Approximately 9000 seeds / ounce

Auction is for 1 packet = 1/2 gr = 160 + seeds

Germination rate = 90 %

Harvested fresh in fall of 2022, for sale through 2023!

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