Mendocino

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sweetly green and richly tender, Mendocino broccoli forms a dense, tight crown with a velvety texture and a refined, mellow flavor that feels almost buttery in the garden-fresh bite.

Expect sturdy plants that hold their color beautifully, producing a main head at about 55 days and then continuing with smaller side shoots for a longer harvest window. Ideal for roasting, steaming, and brightening into sauces—Mendocino delivers dependable, garden-grown goodness with a satisfying bite.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Mendocino 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	Jun 1st	Jul 26th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 25th	Jul 19th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Jul 13th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Jul 7th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Jul 2nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jun 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jun 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jun 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jun 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	Jun 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	May 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	May 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	Apr 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Apr 5th – 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)	40
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Mendocino’s tender, velvety florets behave beautifully under heat—they roast to nutty edges without turning watery. Its mellow sweetness loves bright acid and salty umami, making it a standout for lemon-butter finishes or Parmesan-forward sauces.

Best Uses

high-heat roast until the edges blister, keeping a tight, non-mushy center
quick steam and toss with lemon for a crisp-tender finish
puree into a silky broccoli cream sauce for pasta or gnocchi
shave or chop small for a warm salad that stays pleasantly toothsome

Flavor Profile

mellow, sweet green taste tender yet sturdy bite velvety florets that hold their shape

Kitchen Pairings

lemon Parmesan olive oil butter chili flakes anchovy

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Brassica oleracea (Mendocino), and how can I manage it at home?

Cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm/diamondback moth larvae) commonly chew Brassica oleracea leaves, leaving holes and frass. Check plants 2–3 times per week and hand-pick larvae early; cover seedlings with a fine insect netting or row cover until about 4–6 weeks after transplanting. If damage is noticeable, use an application of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) targeted to caterpillars, following the label, and remove heavily infested leaves to slow spread.

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

During active growth, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Water deeply to wet the root zone, then let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly before the next watering to reduce disease risk. Inconsistent moisture can lead to poor leaf quality and bolting, so avoid letting beds swing between dry and soggy.

How do I tell when Mendocino (Brassica oleracea) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at roughly 55 days when heads/leaves reach their typical full size and feel firm to the touch (for head-forming types, the head should be tight rather than loose). The best timing is when color is fully developed and leaves are mature but not excessively tough; if you see early flowering stalks or buds forming, harvest immediately. Use a sharp knife to cut, leaving some leaves/stem base so the plant’s lower growth can hold up longer where applicable.