How to Grow Piccolo Mix

Piccolo Mix

Brassica oleracea var. italica

vegetable

Piccolo Mix is a specialty broccoli variety that produces abundant small, tender florets on compact plants, perfect for fresh eating and stir-fries. The name 'Piccolo' means 'small' in Italian, referring to the delicate, bite-sized heads that mature quickly. This is an excellent choice for home gardeners seeking continuous harvests from a single planting.

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Example Piccolo Mix timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Piccolo Mix
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Piccolo Mix
Around Jun 6

≈ 50 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Piccolo Mix dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; afternoon shade beneficial in hot climates

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Water: Consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. More frequent watering needed during hot weather and head development.

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Spacing: 18-24 inches between plants; rows 24-30 inches apart inches

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Days to maturity: 50-70 days from transplant; 70-85 days from seed

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Planting depth: Seeds: ¼-½ inch deep. Transplants: same depth as container root ball.

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost or well-rotted manure Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar) Calcium (lime or gypsum to prevent tip burn) Kelp meal for trace minerals

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 4-9; grows best in cool seasons (spring and fall)

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Small plants with 2-4 true leaves, developing initial root system

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to strongest plant per cell if direct seeded. Harden off transplants gradually before planting out.

Vegetative

3-4 weeks

Bushy plant with thick stems and large blue-green leaves; developing branching structure

Maintain consistent watering and provide regular fertilization every 2-3 weeks with nitrogen-rich fertilizer or balanced formula. Mulch around base to retain moisture and cool roots. Monitor for pests.

Head Development

2-3 weeks

Flower buds forming at stem tips and leaf axils; tight green clusters appearing along main stem and branches

Continue consistent watering—this stage is critical. Water stress reduces head quality and size. Increase calcium and potassium fertilizer. Ensure adequate spacing for air circulation.

Floret Formation

1-2 weeks

Multiple small heads (florets) developing along the stem, typically ½-2 inches in diameter, still tightly budded

Do not allow soil to dry out. Maintain consistent moisture for tender, sweet florets. Side-dress with compost if needed. Watch for caterpillars under loose florets.

Harvest Ready

2-4 weeks (extended with succession planting)

Florets firm, compact, and deep green with tight buds; main head and side shoots ready for picking

Begin harvesting main head when buds are tight and before any florets open. Regular harvesting encourages more side shoots. Harvest in early morning for best texture and flavor.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Beets Carrots Celery Chamomile Dill Garlic Leeks Lettuce Marigolds Nasturtiums Onions Potatoes Spinach Thyme

Avoid planting near:

Cabbage family crops (excessive pest/disease pressure) Fennel (allelopathic/inhibits growth) Kohlrabi (similar nutrient demands) Strawberries (disease susceptibility)

Common Pests

Use row covers over young plants; hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); grow companion plants like thyme and sage
Hand-pick; Bt spray; encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps; netting to exclude adult moths
Use row covers on seedlings; diatomaceous earth; spinosad spray; reflective mulch to confuse beetles
Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings
Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil; reflective mulches; improve air circulation
Rotate crops; avoid waterlogged conditions; raise soil pH to 7.0+; use resistant varieties when available; disinfect tools

Uses

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Fresh eating and stir-fries

Culinary

The small, tender florets are perfect for fresh salads, steaming, stir-frying, and roasting. Their delicate size makes them ideal for quick-cooking methods that preserve nutrients and sweet flavor. [source]

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Continuous harvest cooking

Culinary

Unlike standard broccoli varieties that produce one large head, Piccolo Mix yields abundant small florets over many weeks, providing fresh vegetables for regular cooking without waste. [source]

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Sulforaphane and cancer prevention

Medicinal

Broccoli is rich in sulforaphane, a compound with potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Young florets contain even higher concentrations of this beneficial compound. [source]

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Nutritious dietary staple

Household

High in vitamins C and K, fiber, and minerals; supports immune function and bone health when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet. [source]

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Pollinator and beneficial insect support

Wildlife

Allowing some florets to flower attracts bees, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps that help control garden pests while supporting local pollinator populations. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest the main central head when it reaches 3-4 inches diameter and buds are tight and compact, before any florets begin to flower. Cut with a sharp knife at the base of the head. Continue harvesting side shoots as they develop (typically ½-2 inches), which encourages more production. Morning harvest yields the crispest, most tender florets. A single plant can produce 8-12 weeks of continuous harvest with regular picking. Stop harvesting when florets become loose and flowers begin to open.

Fun Facts

🌱 Piccolo broccoli varieties were developed in Italy to meet European market preferences for smaller, more tender florets and are sometimes called 'sprouting broccoli' for their multiple-shoot production habit.
🌱 Unlike standard broccoli that produces one large central head, Piccolo Mix plants continue producing side shoots for 8-12 weeks after the main head is harvested, making them extremely productive for home gardens.
🌱 Broccoli is botanically a flower bud—what you harvest are unopened flower clusters, and if left unharvested, they will bloom into small yellow flowers that are also edible and attract beneficial insects.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Compost Full Sun Mulch Transplant True Leaves

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