Green Magic

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Green Magic to a garden.

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

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

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.