Small beads on large, smooth heads with very tightly packed beads and very few side shoots. This remarkably versatile broccoli can be grown year round in cool coastal regions. If you haven't had much luck with broccoli before, try Centennial broccoli seeds. Expect to harvest around three and a half months after transplanting, no matter when you start. So it's a good variety for planting every three or four weeks from spring to late summer. Centennial has a lovely, rich broccoli flavor that is a little sweeter after frost. This is a superb broccoli for CSA programs, as it will produce pretty much all season.
Matures in 100 days. (Hybrid seeds)
West Coast Seeds Centennial F1 Broccoli Seeds, Per Package
Starting
Sow indoors, 3 or 4 seeds per pot, 5mm (¼”) deep, under very bright light. Thin to the strongest plant. Space transplants 45-60cm (18-24″) apart in rows 75-90cm (30-36″) apart.
Timing
Start indoors right around the last frost date or later in spring for summer harvest in 2 to 3 months. For fall harvest, start indoors late spring and transplant in July, harvesting just before the first frost date. For overwintering sprouting broccoli in mild winter areas, start indoors late March to mid-April, and harvest the following February to May. Seeds will germinate in 7-10 days. Optimal temperature for germination: 10-30°C (50-85°F).
Harvest
Cut the crown portion of the broccoli with 5 to 6 inches of stem, after it’s fully developed, but before it begins to loosen and separate and the individual flowers start to develop into bright yellow blooms. Removing the central head stimulates regrowth to develop for later pickings. Cutting the head lower on the stem will encourage fewer, but larger side-shoots. The regrowth portion grows from the base of the lower leaves. You can usually continue to harvest broccoli for several weeks.
