Waltham 29 Broccoli Seeds – Heirloom Non-GMO | 85–90 Days

Bring a timeless cool-season vegetable to your garden with Waltham 29 Broccoli, a dependable heirloom variety treasured by home gardeners for its classic flavor, compact growth, and steady harvest potential.

Developed at the historic Waltham Field Station in Massachusetts, Waltham 29 was bred for cool-weather gardens and remains a favorite for spring and fall planting. Plants produce beautiful blue-green broccoli heads with a tender, savory flavor, followed by smaller side shoots that can extend the harvest after the central head is cut.

This variety is especially well suited for gardeners who want a reliable, open-pollinated broccoli with strong cold tolerance and traditional garden performance. Grow it in fertile, well-drained soil with steady moisture for the best head formation and flavor.

Product Highlights

• Variety: Waltham 29 Broccoli
• Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. italica
• Seed Type: Heirloom, Non-GMO, Open-Pollinated
• Plant Type: Cool-season annual vegetable
• Days to Maturity: 85–90 days
• Days to Germination: 3–14 days
• Plant Height: 24–30 inches
• Growth Habit: Compact, upright, mounding
• Head Color: Classic blue-green to dark green
• Best Season: Spring and fall
• Best Use: Fresh eating, steaming, stir-fries, soups, freezing, home gardens

Growing Instructions

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last spring frost, or direct sow outdoors when the soil is workable and temperatures are cool. For fall harvests, sow in midsummer about 3 months before the first expected fall frost.

Plant seeds about 1/2 inch deep in moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Seeds usually germinate in 3–14 days, depending on temperature and growing conditions. Thin or transplant seedlings to 18 inches apart, with rows spaced 24–30 inches apart.

Waltham 29 broccoli grows best in full sun during cool weather. In warmer regions, light afternoon shade may help protect plants from heat stress. Keep soil evenly moist and avoid letting plants dry out during head formation.

Harvesting

Harvest the main broccoli head when it is firm, compact, and about 4–6 inches wide, before the flower buds begin to open. Use a clean knife to cut the central head, leaving the plant in the garden so smaller side shoots can continue developing.

For the best flavor and texture, harvest while the heads are still tight and blue-green. Broccoli often becomes sweeter and more flavorful after a few light fall frosts.

Growing Details

Garden Notes

Broccoli is a member of the brassica family, along with cabbage, kale, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. For best results, rotate planting areas each season and watch for common garden pests such as cabbage worms, flea beetles, aphids, slugs, and thrips.

Note: Seeds are for planting only. Germination and growth may vary depending on temperature, moisture, soil quality, and growing conditions. Non-GMO does not mean certified organic.