NEW KIDS ON THE BROCCOLI!

Rob Smith is talking broccoli this month with a review of the different types available and suggestions for some exciting new varieties to try

- Rob Smith

When most of us think of broccoli we picture the green domed vegetable, often wrapped in plastic at the supermarket. However, broccoli offers much more diversity, including purple-flushed varieties, stem broccoli, sprouting broccoli and more. That's why it's easy to get confused by the terminology. While they are related and share some similarities, there are distinct differences worth noting. In the UK, what we commonly refer to as broccoli is actually calabrese. However, the term 'broccoli' can be a bit of a catch-all. It encompasses several different types of plants.

Sprouting broccoli plants are typically larger and require a longer growing period, sometimes nearly a year, making them suitable for bigger gardens or allotments. Commonly seen as purple sprouting broccoli, they also come in white varieties, with late winter being their prime harvest time. Despite their space requirements, these plants provide a continuous supply of slender shoots for several weeks, offering a higher yield per plant compared with regular broccoli.

Stem broccoli starts off resembling regular calabrese, producing a large head. This head can be harvested early or left to mature, eventually splitting and elongating into multiple slender stems, known in supermarkets as 'tender stem'. These versatile plants allow you to snap off as many stems as you need, leaving the rest for another day. You can choose from green or burgundy varieties for a colourful addition to your garden.

Since regular calabrese is available year-round, consider growing stem broccoli for an extended harvest period, offering two different types of veg over several weeks.

Calabrese is the type of broccoli most people are familiar with. Named after the Italian region of Calabria, this variety is the one typically found in supermarkets with a large, green, dome-shaped head.