Di Cicco

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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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

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Di Cicco Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	May 4th	May 25th	Jul 19th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 18th	Jul 12th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 2nd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 2nd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 12th	Jul 6th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 2nd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 6th	Jun 30th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 1st	Jun 25th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	Apr 27th	Jun 21st – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	Apr 24th	Jun 18th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 18th	Jun 12th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 13th	Jun 7th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 3rd	May 28th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Mar 25th	May 19th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 16th	May 10th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Feb 27th	Apr 23rd – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 2nd	Mar 29th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th

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.