{"product_id":"col-m6p-bro-marx1","title":"Broccoli 'Marathon' (Brassica oleracea) – F1 Calabrese Vegetable Plants (12 Plants in 2 x 6-Cell Trays)","description":"\u003cp\u003eBroccoli 'Marathon' is a firm favourite with home growers and allotment holders, an F1 hybrid calabrese that produces large, dense, blue-green heads with a tight, uniform curd. It is known for reliable cropping, vigour and good disease resistance, including tolerance to downy mildew, and it performs well across a range of UK growing conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou get 12 young broccoli plants, growing in 2 trays of 6 cells with one plant to a cell, which saves sowing from seed. Plant them out once they are well rooted and the risk of hard frost has passed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrow broccoli in full sun, in fertile, well-drained soil that is firm underfoot and not acidic. Space plants about 45cm apart in rows 60cm apart, and firm the soil well around each base so the plants stay stable. Keep them watered in dry spells without letting the soil become waterlogged, and feed with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser to encourage strong growth and good heads.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse brassica collars and netting to protect against cabbage root fly and pigeons. Cut the heads promptly while they are compact and before the florets start to yellow. Broccoli grows well in raised beds and kitchen gardens as well as allotments, and suits beginners and experienced growers alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCultural Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Broccoli 'Marathon' (Calabrese)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brassica oleracea Italica Group\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFully Grown Height and Spread:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 60-90cm tall and 40-60cm wide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upright, bushy, with a central dome-shaped head\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePerfect For:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vegetable beds, raised beds, allotments, kitchen gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Position:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fertile, well-drained, firm soil, not acidic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Harvest in summer and autumn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e F1 hybrid vegetable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Verdant Living","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":68017135780060,"sku":"COL-M6P-BRO-MARX1","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0646\/2455\/8300\/files\/1_ed6fb1da-4479-44dc-8e66-d553fd2dc8b0.png?v=1793631690","url":"https:\/\/www.verdant-living.co.uk\/products\/col-m6p-bro-marx1","provider":"Verdant Living","version":"1.0","type":"link"}