Green Magic

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Sink your senses into Green Magic’s lush, deep-green crowns—dense, velvety florets that hold their color with a confident, garden-fresh glow.

Expect a crisp, tender bite and a satisfying firmness that makes this variety shine in the spotlight, whether you’re enjoying it straight from the garden or turning it into vibrant, flavorful preparations. Green Magic’s steady, uniform heads and reliable performance make it a favorite for home growers seeking dependable results at about 60 days from sowing.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 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 17th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Green Magic’s dense, uniformly tender florets are the kind that stay crisp under heat—so you can roast for caramelized edges or steam briefly without ending up with mush. It’s mild enough to let lemon, garlic, and parmesan sing, but it still brings that clean brassica snap on the finish.

Best Uses

quick steam or blanch-and-chill for snappy florets
roasted florets at high heat for browned, nutty edges
stir-fries where broccoli needs to stay firm through sauce
creamy broccoli-cheese style preparations where it can still hold shape

Flavor Profile

crisp-tender bite mild, sweet-leaning broccoli flavor subtle grassy brassica edge holds texture without going soft

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic olive oil parmesan anchovy soy sauce

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common problem for Brassica oleracea var. italica (Calabrese) and how do I treat it fast?

One frequent issue is cabbageworm/cabbage looper (green caterpillars) that chew holes in broccoli florets and leaves. Check plants 2–3 times per week and spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or apply a fine insect net early, aiming coverage on undersides of leaves where eggs are laid. If you find damage, remove heavily affected leaves immediately to slow spread.

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

During active head and floret formation (around weeks 4–8), keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1–1.5 inches of water per week total, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, and avoid letting the top 1 inch dry out because stress can lead to loose, poorly formed heads.

How can I tell when Brassica oleracea var. italica (Calabrese) is ready to harvest at ~60 days?

Harvest when the central head is tight and deep-green, with small buds still closed and before any yellow flowers show. Cut the main head 5–8 inches below it using a sharp knife; side shoots will continue to produce smaller florets for additional harvests if you keep watering and feeding lightly. If buds start opening, harvest immediately—over-mature heads become less tender.