Emerald Crown is an F1 hybrid broccoli bred for reliable fall harvests, particularly prized in eastern growing regions. This compact variety reaches maturity in 60 to 70 days from transplant (though some sources suggest 59 days), producing tight, dense heads that stay locked and unblemished until you're ready to cut. The plant's bush-like habit makes it efficient in tight spaces, while its high calcium content and abundance of vitamins C, K, and B-complex make it as nutritious as it is productive.
4
Full Sun
High
3-10
?in H x ?in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
The calcium in Emerald Crown broccoli is actually more bioavailable to your body than the calcium in milk, a distinction this variety shares with its entire species but worth celebrating given how nutrient-dense these heads become. Its tight, dense heads resist the yellowing that signals lost quality, and the plant's compact growth habit lets you fit more production into less garden space. Fall crops perform best with this variety, particularly in eastern gardens where it has earned recognition as a top performer.
Emerald Crown heads are harvested at their tightest and densest for peak flavor and texture, then used fresh in the kitchen. The florets work beautifully steamed, roasted, or raw in salads, while the thick stems can be trimmed, peeled, and cooked alongside the crowns. After the main head is harvested, side-shoots emerge to provide smaller secondary harvests, extending your kitchen supply well into the season.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors in warm conditions; add 25 to 35 days to the listed days-to-maturity if you plan to direct seed instead of transplanting. This timing helps you align seedlings with your target fall or spring planting window.
Transplant seedlings into the garden when they've developed true leaves and the soil has warmed sufficiently. Johnny's reports an average yield of 850 plants per 1,000 seeds, so plan your seed starting accordingly.
Direct seeding is possible but requires adding 25 to 35 days to the stated 60 to 70 day maturity window. Sow in April or during your region's appropriate spring or fall window for best results.
Harvest when heads are visibly tight and dense, cutting before any yellow petals appear as a sign of declining quality. Use a clean, sharp knife to remove the main head along with at least 6 inches of stem, cutting at a slant to prevent water from pooling and rotting the plant's center. If yellow petals have already emerged, harvest immediately to capture what you can. After the main crown is removed, side-shoots will continue to develop for subsequent harvests throughout the season.
Once you harvest the main head by cutting at least 6 inches of stem with a clean, sharp knife, cut side-shoots regularly throughout the season. This consistent harvesting encourages the plant to produce additional secondary florets, multiplying your yield from each plant.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.