Early Maturing
Solstice Broccoli is an early-maturing variety developed by renowned organic breeder Jonathan Spero of Lupine Knoll Farm, selected specifically to fill the harvest gap around the summer solstice and into early fall. Plants reach 30 inches tall with a 24-inch spread, producing tight, bluish-green crowns with purple tinges that deepen to solid purple after the first frost. Ready to harvest in just 70 days, this variety delivers mild, sweet flavor and reliable heading, making it a dependable choice for season-spanning broccoli production.
Full Sun
Moderate
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30in H x 24in W
Annual
Moderate
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Solstice was bred with a specific purpose: to bridge the broccoli harvest gap when other varieties falter. The crowns develop a distinctive bluish-green color with purple accents that intensify dramatically after frost, transforming the plant's visual appeal along with its flavor. Jonathan Spero's selection work prioritized consistency and mild sweetness, traits that show clearly in trial gardens where plants head reliably and uniformly.
Solstice Broccoli is grown for its central head, harvested fresh for eating raw or cooked. The crowns work well steamed, roasted, or incorporated into soups and stir-fries. The stems also develop and are edible, offering extra yield from each plant. Its mild flavor and tender texture make it approachable for fresh eating and cooking alike.
Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your intended transplant date, sowing them at a depth of approximately 1/4 inch in moist seed-starting mix kept at 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging.
Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days, gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant into the garden when soil temperatures reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, spacing plants 18 inches apart with rows 36 inches apart. For spring harvest, time transplanting 70 days before your desired harvest date; for fall harvest, transplant in early to midsummer so plants mature as temperatures cool.
Harvest the central head when the crown feels firm and the florets are still tightly closed, typically around 70 days after transplanting. Cut with a sharp knife, harvesting in the morning for best quality. For fall-grown plants, wait to harvest after the first hard frost if possible; the purple coloration and sweetness intensify noticeably after frost exposure. Secondary side shoots may develop after the main head is removed, extending the harvest period.
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“Solstice Broccoli emerged from the breeding work of Jonathan Spero at Lupine Knoll Farm, a respected organic seed farm. Spero developed this variety with a practical mission: to create a broccoli cultivar that would produce harvestable heads around the summer solstice, filling a notorious production gap when early spring varieties finish and fall varieties haven't yet matured. His selection prioritized both the solstice window and early fall production, making it a tool for extending the broccoli season on farms and in gardens.”