Happy Rich

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Tender, sweet florets with a fresh, green snap—Happy Rich broccolini delivers a vivid harvest that feels as lively as it looks.

Expect slender, crisp stems and compact crowns with a mild, broccoli-like flavor that shines in quick skillet roasts, bright sautéed sides, and silky sauces. For gardeners, it’s a rewarding 50-day crop that stays beautifully uniform, making it ideal for repeated harvests and elegant, plate-ready bunches.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Upright

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 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
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

Happy Rich broccolini is built for speed: slender stems crisp up fast and the compact crowns stay sweet without turning bitter. Give it a hot pan and a squeeze of lemon, then finish with parmesan or toasted almonds for a bright, green-to-nut contrast.

Best Uses

hot skillet roast with olive oil and lemon zest for browned edges
fast sauté as a side—keep it crisp, not sulfurous
blanch-and-shock for silky texture in pasta tosses
stir into a creamy sauce to balance the richness with a clean bite

Flavor Profile

mild broccoli sweetness fresh green snap with tender florets lightly peppery brassica bite quick-cooking, not watery

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon parmesan olive oil chili flakes almonds

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Brassica oleracea var. italica (broccoli/“Happy Rich”), and how can I control it at home?

Watch for cabbage worms/loopers (green caterpillars) and for black rot/clubroot in cool, wet conditions. Inspect the undersides of leaves every few days and remove caterpillars by hand; follow with BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray for caterpillars. To reduce fungal and soilborne disease risk, avoid overhead watering, rotate away from Brassicaceae in following seasons, and if clubroot has appeared, don’t plant Brassicaceae again in that bed and improve soil drainage before the next planting.

How often should I water Brassica oleracea var. italica during the main growing phase?

During active head/curd development, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for roughly 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 2–3 smaller waterings if it’s hot or windy. Water at the base early in the day and maintain moisture consistency; letting the soil swing from dry to soggy can trigger head problems and disease. Check by feel 1–2 inches down—if it’s dry at that depth, water again.

How do I know when Brassica oleracea var. italica is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the main curd/head is tight and firm with fully formed florets and before any yellow flowers start to show. If you wait until it begins to loosen or flower, flavor gets stronger and texture becomes less tender. For the best quality, cut the main head at the stem just below the curd, and you can often harvest smaller side shoots after the main cut.