Broccoli 'Marathon'

Where to Plant

Choose a sunny, preferably sheltered position with fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. 'Marathon' grows in a range of soil types, but performs best in firm ground enriched with organic matter. Calabrese prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil, ideally with a pH of at least 6.8.

Preparing the Soil

Remove weeds and incorporate well-rotted garden compost or manure, ideally in the autumn before planting. Brassicas prefer firm soil, so avoid leaving the ground loose and freshly dug immediately before planting. If your soil is acidic, carry out a soil test and apply lime where needed, preferably well in advance.

When to Plant

Plant outdoors when your young broccoli plants have developed a good root system and weather conditions are suitable. Spring planting generally gives summer harvests, while later plantings can provide autumn crops. Avoid transplanting during very hot or dry weather, as this can stress the plants and affect head development.

Planting Your Broccoli

Water the plants before planting. Make a hole large enough for the rootball and carefully position each plant slightly deeper than it was previously growing, with the lowest leaves close to soil level. Firm the soil around the roots and water thoroughly. Space plants approximately 45cm apart, with 60cm between rows, allowing room for the leaves and developing heads.

Growing in Raised Beds

'Marathon' grows well in raised beds with fertile soil and enough room for the mature plants. Avoid overcrowding, as closer spacing can produce smaller heads. Raised beds may dry out more quickly than open ground, so check moisture levels regularly during warm weather.

Growing in Containers

Broccoli can be grown in large containers, although it generally performs best in the ground. Choose a deep, generously sized pot with drainage holes and allow one plant plenty of space for its roots and foliage. Container-grown plants need consistent watering and feeding, and may produce smaller heads than those grown in a well-prepared vegetable bed.

Watering

Water regularly while plants establish, then continue watering during dry spells, particularly as the heads develop. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist rather than allowing it to dry out completely between heavy soakings. Direct water towards the base of the plants so it reaches the roots.

Feeding

Broccoli benefits from fertile soil and a balanced supply of nutrients. Incorporate well-rotted organic matter before planting and apply a suitable vegetable fertiliser if needed, following the pack instructions. Avoid excessive nitrogen feeding, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of head development. Yellowing leaves can have several causes, including waterlogging and nutrient deficiencies, so check growing conditions before adding extra feed.

Mulching and Weeding

Apply a layer of well-rotted compost or other suitable organic mulch around established plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Keep mulch clear of the stems. Remove weeds regularly so they don't compete for water and nutrients, taking care not to damage the roots when hoeing.

Protecting Against Caterpillars and Birds

Cover plants with fine insect-proof mesh to help prevent cabbage white butterflies from laying eggs on the leaves. Support the mesh above the foliage and secure the edges so butterflies cannot get underneath. Suitable netting also helps protect plants from pigeons, which can damage young brassicas. Check the undersides of leaves regularly for caterpillars and eggs.

Other Pests and Diseases

Broccoli can be affected by aphids, whitefly, slugs, snails and cabbage root fly. Check plants regularly and deal with problems promptly. 'Marathon' shows some resistance to disease, but it is not immune to common brassica problems such as clubroot. Maintain good drainage and practise crop rotation to reduce the risk of soil-borne diseases.

Crop Rotation

Avoid growing broccoli in the same position year after year. Where possible, leave at least three years before returning brassicas to the same bed. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts belong to the same plant family, so include them together when planning your crop rotation.

Preventing Premature Flowering

Hot, dry weather and other growing stresses can cause broccoli heads to develop too quickly and begin flowering before they reach their best size. Keep plants well watered, avoid checks to growth and inspect the developing heads regularly. Harvest promptly while the flower buds remain tightly closed.

When to Harvest 'Marathon' Broccoli

'Marathon' is a reliable summer-cropping calabrese variety that can also provide autumn harvests, depending on planting time and growing conditions. Harvest when the central head is firm, well formed and made up of tightly closed blue-green flower buds.

How to Harvest the Main Head

Use a sharp knife to cut the central head with a short length of stem attached. Choose heads while the buds are still compact, before they begin to loosen or show yellow flowers. Check plants frequently during warm weather, as mature heads can begin flowering quickly.

Harvesting the Sideshoots

After removing the main head, leave the plant in the ground. Smaller sideshoots can develop from the remaining stems, providing further pickings over the following weeks. Cut these while the buds are still tightly closed and continue checking regularly to make the most of your crop.

How Long Will Plants Keep Cropping?

The length of the harvest depends on the weather, plant health and growing conditions. Regular picking can encourage further sideshoot development, potentially extending the harvest for several weeks. These additional heads will generally be smaller than the original central head. Remove plants once they stop producing worthwhile shoots.

Harvesting for Freezing

'Marathon' is particularly useful for freezing. Harvest firm heads at their best, divide them into evenly sized florets and prepare them for freezing as soon as possible to preserve their quality.

Top Tip

Don't wait for the central head to become enormous. Firm, tightly packed buds give the best eating quality, and harvesting the main head at the right stage leaves the plant able to produce smaller sideshoots.

From Plot to Plate

'Marathon' produces firm broccoli heads with tightly packed blue-green florets and excellent flavour. Both the main head and tender sideshoots can be enjoyed fresh, making this a useful vegetable for everyday cooking.

Health Benefits of Broccoli

Broccoli is a nutritious vegetable containing vitamin C, vitamin K and dietary fibre. Vitamin C helps maintain healthy skin, blood vessels and bones, while vitamin K is needed for normal blood clotting. Fibre contributes to healthy digestion. Broccoli also contains naturally occurring plant compounds, including antioxidants. Enjoy it as part of a varied, balanced diet.

Steaming

Steaming is a simple way to cook freshly harvested broccoli while keeping the florets tender with a little bite. Cut into evenly sized pieces and steam until just cooked. Serve with butter, lemon juice or your favourite seasoning.

Stir-Fries

Cut the heads into small florets and slice the tender stems for quick stir-fries. Broccoli works particularly well with garlic, ginger, soy sauce and other vegetables, adding colour and texture to the dish.

Roasting

Toss florets with a little oil and seasoning, then roast until tender with lightly browned edges. Roasting brings out a slightly sweeter, nuttier flavour and makes a useful side dish for a wide range of meals.

Using the Stems

Don't discard the tender stems. Peel away any tough outer skin from thicker stems, then slice the centres for steaming, stir-fries or soups. The smaller sideshoots can often be cooked whole.

Freezing Your Broccoli

For the best results, freeze broccoli soon after harvesting. Wash thoroughly, divide into evenly sized florets and blanch briefly in boiling water before cooling rapidly in iced water. Drain well, dry and freeze in suitable containers or bags. Blanching helps preserve colour, flavour and texture during frozen storage.

Fresh Storage

Broccoli is best eaten soon after picking. If you're not using it immediately, keep it refrigerated and use it within a few days for the best quality. Avoid washing it until you're ready to prepare it, unless it needs cleaning before storage.

Choosing Your Broccoli Plants

Our broccoli 'Marathon' plants are available as Plug Plants, Garden Ready Plants and 9cm Potted Plants. Each offers a different stage of growth, so you can choose the option that best suits your growing space and planting plans.

Plug Plants

Plug plants are young broccoli plants supplied with small, established rootballs. They can be planted directly into prepared garden soil or raised beds when sufficiently developed, hardened off and outdoor conditions are suitable.

Unpack promptly, check the compost and water if needed. If the plants are still small or the weather is unsuitable for planting, you can pot them on temporarily into small pots of multipurpose compost and keep them somewhere bright, cool and protected while they develop.

When planting outdoors, handle the young plants carefully, firm the soil around their roots and water thoroughly. Protect them from slugs, snails, pigeons and cabbage white butterflies.

Garden Ready Plants

Garden Ready Plants are more developed than young plugs and are supplied at a stage suitable for planting into prepared beds or large containers, provided outdoor conditions are suitable.

Unpack promptly, check the compost and water if necessary. If the plants have been kept under protection, allow them to adjust gradually to outdoor conditions before planting. If conditions are unsuitable for immediate planting, keep them somewhere cool, bright and sheltered, watering as needed.

9cm Potted Plants

Our 9cm Potted Plants are established young broccoli plants supplied in individual 9cm nursery pots. Their more developed root systems make them convenient for planting directly into a vegetable plot, raised bed or suitably large container when conditions allow.

Water before planting, then carefully remove each plant from its pot, keeping the rootball intact. If planting needs to be delayed, the plants can remain in their nursery pots for a short period, provided they're kept watered and don't become rootbound.

Looking After Plants on Arrival

Whatever size you choose, unpack your broccoli plants as soon as they arrive. Check the moisture level of the compost and water if needed, allowing any excess to drain. Keep plants in a bright, sheltered position until you're ready to plant them out.

Protect young plants from frost, strong winds and prolonged hot sunshine while they establish. Avoid leaving them sitting in water or allowing their compost to dry out completely.