Exclusive! Johnny’s most tender, flavourful mini broccoli
Florets are tender and sweet with a mild flavour. May be transplanted like other mini broccoli varieties or direct sown at 10cm-15cm in the row. An extra early mini broccoli, it is 2–3 days earlier than Happy Rich though it has a shorter harvest period. Melody has a more vigorous plant and higher yield potential than Noble Jade. Pinching not recommended. DTM: 24 days
Key features
Sweet tender florets with mild flavour
High yielding
Transplant or direct sow at 10-15cm in-row
Early type with a short harvest period, Sow every 2 weeks.
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra
Early harvests of thick spears.
Spears are tender and sweet, developing a mustardy flavour as they mature. Although transplanting is recommended, it performs better direct-seeded and at tighter spacing than many mini broccoli varieties (4–6″ in-row). Can be 1–2 weeks earlier than Happy Rich, but less heat tolerant and with a shorter harvest period. This Chinese specialty (also known as Kailaan or Chinese kale) can be sold loose or in bunches. Avg. 107,200 seeds/lb. Packet: 500 seeds.
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Brassica oleracea CULTURE: Prefers a well-drained, fertile soil high in organic matter with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Prefers a consistent supply of moisture throughout the growing season. Irrigate regularly for best results.
DISEASES AND INSECT PESTS: Prevent flea beetle damage by applying floating row cover at planting. Flea beetles can also be controlled with insecticides such as azadirachtin or pyrethrin. Cabbage worms can be controlled with Bacillus thuringiensis (Dipel). Prevent disease with crop rotation and good sanitation.
TRANSPLANTING: Sow 2 seeds per cell in 72-cell plug flats, or in outdoor beds 6mm deep. Seedlings should be ready to transplant in 3–4 weeks. If possible, keep soil temperature 24–27°C until germination, then reduce air temperature to about 16°C. Ensure good air circulation and light. Transplant outdoors 15-30cm apart for spring raab and 30-60cm apart for sprouting broccoli in rows 45-90cm apart.
DIRECT SEEDING: Sow 3 seeds per foot, 12mm deep, rows 145-90cm apart, thinning to one plant in each group.
COLD TREATMENT (VERNALIZATION): Late-sprouting varieties require exposure to temperatures at or below 10°C to induce budding. See individual varieties for duration of vernalization period.
PINCHING: For some varieties, side-shoot production can be increased by pinching the initial head as soon as it forms. See individual varieties for pinching recommendations.
HARVEST: Before flower buds open, cut stems of central head and side shoots. Stems 10-20cm in length can be bunched for sale or sold loose. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production.
DAYS TO MATURITY: Sprouting broccoli: From transplant date to central head harvest, side shoots will follow. Spring raab: From direct seeding.
SIZED SEEDS: “Sized” seeds have been sorted so they are roughly the same size. This consistency allows for more accurate spacing with mechanical seeders and more even germination. Broccoli seeds are sized, except when noted in the product description.
