Di Cicco

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Velvety, blue-green florets of Di Cicco open with a dense, finely textured crown and a pleasantly sweet, green flavor that lingers on the palate.

The heads hold their shape beautifully, with crisp, tender bite and a steady supply of side shoots for extended harvest—ideal for gardeners who love to keep picking. Grow Di Cicco for reliable performance and a standout presence in the garden, from first main head to abundant follow-on blooms.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Di Cicco’s densely fine florets turn silky under heat but keep a crisp-tender bite, so you don’t need heavy sauces to make it satisfying. The sweet, green linger begs for sharp lemon and fat—think butter or Parmesan—so it tastes lively instead of sulfurous.

Best Uses

hot-plate sear or roast where the florets blister and stay tender
quick steam then finish with browned butter and lemon for a clean, sweet edge
stir-fry with high heat to keep the bite snappy
grind or chop for broccoli ‘rice’ or a thick, creamy puree

Flavor Profile

pleasantly sweet green flavor velvety, fine-floret texture crisp-tender bite with minimal grittiness lingering brassica-sweet finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon browned butter Parmesan olive oil soy sauce anchovy

Frequently Asked Questions

What common disease or pest should I watch for on Brassica oleracea var. italica (Di Cicco broccoli) and how do I manage it?

Watch for cabbage worms/diamondback moth caterpillars and for black rot or downy mildew in humid weather. Hand-pick small caterpillars early, and use a fine row cover immediately after transplanting (remove only for watering/harvest) to prevent egg laying. If you see yellowing with darkened leaf veins (black rot), remove affected leaves and avoid overhead watering; for mildew, keep plants well spaced and water at soil level in the morning.

How often should I water Di Cicco broccoli during the main growing phase?

During active head/side-shoot development, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist but not soggy—typically about 1–1.5 inches of water per week depending on heat and soil. Water deeply 1–2 times per week rather than light daily sprinkling, and make sure drainage is good to prevent stressed roots and disease. Mulch around the plants to reduce moisture swings, since broccoli forms heads less reliably when it repeatedly dries out and re-wets.

How can I tell when Di Cicco broccoli is ready to harvest?

Harvest the main head when the buds are tight and firm, before individual yellow flowers show through; the head should look dark green and compact. If the central head starts to loosen or flower, it’s past prime—cut immediately to encourage side shoots. For best timing, plan on about 55 days from planting/transplanting to maturity, then harvest promptly as soon as the head meets the “tight buds” stage.