Zen F1is a top choice for a tasty autumn crop. It takes a little longer to mature—13–15 weeks from transplanting—but rewards you with a high-domed, deep green head that’s full of flavour. The shape helps shed rain, and its resistance to downy mildew makes it ideal for damp autumn conditions.
Zen performs particularly well under mesh or in a polytunnel, where airflow is limited. Polytunnel growers can even sow later for a December harvest—fresh calabrese for Christmas!
SOW: to get the best from Zen, sow in May, June, or July.
(Early crops can be started in March/April; for polytunnel growing, you can sow as late as August.)
Sow 1.5–2cm deep in pots or modules for easy transplanting.
Suggested sowing schedule:
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Sow May, transplant June → harvest from mid September
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Sow June, transplant July → harvest from mid October
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Sow July, transplant August → harvest from mid November
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Polytunnel only: Sow August, transplant September → harvest in December
GROW: transplant when plants are 10–15cm tall (around 4 weeks from sowing). Space 30–45cm apart. Water well—calabrese doesn’t like drying out. Use mesh or fine netting to protect from caterpillars.
Cut the main head just before the flowers open, around 13-15 weeks from transplanting. After that, expect tasty side shoots to grow.
ENJOY: best lightly steamed or stir-fried and fresh from the garden. You can also freeze it—blanch for 2 minutes, cool in water, drain, and store.
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