Santee Broccoli is a frost-hardy cultivar that thrives across hardiness zones 3 through 11, offering gardeners from cold climates to warm regions a reliable producer. Reaching maturity in 80 to 115 days from transplant, this Brassica oleracea variety delivers dense, tight heads packed with vitamins C, K, and B-complex minerals, plus calcium that your body absorbs more effectively than from milk. Plant it in full sun with consistent moisture and slightly acidic soil, spacing plants 4 inches apart in rows 18 inches wide, and you'll be harvesting side-shoots well into the season.
4
Full Sun
High
3-11
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Moderate
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Santee Broccoli rewards close spacing and regular harvesting with an abundance of side-shoots that keep producing long after the main head is cut. The tight, dense heads are ready to harvest before flowering, and the variety's frost-hardy nature means you can push the season in spring and fall planting. With a relatively short maturity window of 80 to 115 days, Santee fits neatly into most garden calendars, whether you're direct seeding in April or working with transplants.
Santee Broccoli is grown for its edible flower heads and tender stems, which are typically steamed, roasted, or added raw to salads. The side-shoots that develop after the main head is harvested are equally delicious and encourage continuous production throughout the growing season. Its calcium bioavailability makes it a nutritional powerhouse for home gardeners prioritizing whole-food nutrition.
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Start seeds indoors at 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Transplant seedlings outdoors once they've reached suitable size, typically 4 to 6 weeks after sowing. Broccoli benefits from a hardening-off period before moving to the garden.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the risk of heavy frost passes, though Santee's frost-hardy nature allows for early spring planting. Space transplants 4 inches apart in rows 18 inches wide. Ensure soil is cool and moist at planting time.
Direct seed in April or at other suitable times for your region. Add 25 to 35 days to the stated days-to-maturity when direct seeding, as seeds take longer to germinate and establish than transplants.
Harvest the main head when it is tight and dense, before the tiny flower buds begin to open and show yellow petals. Cut with a clean, sharp knife, removing at least 6 inches of stem and angling the cut to prevent water from pooling and rotting the remaining stock. Harvest side-shoots regularly and frequently to encourage continued production throughout the season. If yellow petals have already appeared on the head, harvest immediately.
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