Gypsy Broccoli is an F1 hybrid that brings reliable performance and heat tolerance to the brassica patch. This upright variety matures in just 65 days from transplant, reaching 18 to 24 inches tall with a compact growth pattern that makes it manageable in most garden spaces. Hardy from zones 4 through 13, it thrives in cool to moderate seasons and produces tight, dense heads ready for harvest in early summer or fall. The variety's strong root system helps it establish quickly even in below-average soil fertility, though it rewards consistent moisture and rich organic matter with vigorous growth.
Full Sun
High
4-13
24in H x ?in W
—
High
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Gypsy Broccoli earns its reputation through dependability and speed. A robust root system lets it perform in less-than-ideal soil conditions, while its 65-day timeline means you'll harvest dense, tight heads before midsummer heat arrives. The downy mildew resistance adds peace of mind when disease pressure climbs, and its compact 18 to 24-inch stature fits neatly into intensive gardens where space is precious.
Gypsy Broccoli is grown for its edible florets, which are harvested at the tight-head stage before flowering. The heads are suited to steaming, roasting, stir-frying, or serving raw in salads and vegetable platters. Once the central head is removed, the plant continues to produce smaller side shoots that can be harvested throughout the season, extending the harvest window and providing multiple meals from a single plant.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost or 8 to 10 weeks before your first fall frost. Sow seeds in seed-starting mix at a germination temperature of 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Transplants reach usable size in about 4 to 6 weeks; the Johnny's data indicates approximately 850 usable plants per 1,000 seeds, so account for normal germination loss when planning your seeding volume.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening them off for 7 to 10 days. For spring crops, transplant 2 to 3 weeks before the last spring frost date; Gypsy Broccoli's half-hardy status means it tolerates light frost but thrives in cool weather. For fall crops, time transplants to mature 8 to 10 weeks before the first hard freeze. Space transplants 4 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart. Water immediately after transplanting and keep soil consistently moist as plants establish.
Direct seeding is possible in spring and early summer for fall harvest. Sow seeds directly outdoors in late spring to early summer, calculating days to maturity from the seeding date plus 25 to 35 additional days to account for the slower establishment of direct-sown plants compared to transplants.
Harvest Gypsy Broccoli when the central head is tight and dense, before any yellow petals appear on the florets. The 65-day timeline from transplant guides your harvest window; begin checking plants daily near day 60 for tight head development. Remove the main head with a clean, sharp knife, cutting at least 6 inches of stem at a slant to shed water and prevent rot at the cut surface. Once the central head is harvested, the plant produces side shoots from the main stem; cut these regularly and promptly when they reach 3 to 4 inches in diameter to encourage continued production throughout the season.
Once you've harvested the central head with a clean, sharp knife, cutting at least 6 inches of stem at a slant to prevent water pooling, regularly cut the side shoots that emerge from the stem. This encourages continued production and extends the harvest season, turning a single plant into a weeks-long source of smaller florets.
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