Broccoli ‘Packman’

* Common name: Broccoli ‘Packman’

* Botanical name: Brassica oleracea ‘Packman’

* What it is: A hybrid broccoli that’s one of the most reliable performers with large bluish-green heads and a good production of side shoots after the main head is cut.

* Size: Grows about two feet tall. Space plants 15 to 18 inches apart.

* Where to use: The vegetable garden.

* Care: Broccoli grows best from young plants transplanted into the garden from late March through April and again in early to mid-August for a fall harvest. Seeds can be started inside early February through early March to produce your own plants.

   As with broccoli in general, ‘Packman’ grows best in loose, compost-enriched, well drained soil with regular moisture. Scatter a handful of balanced, granular, organic fertilizer around each plant at planting and again when heads begin to form. (Or use compost.) Harvest when heads stop expanding but before the buds show any signs of opening into yellow flowers – about 50 to 55 days after planting plants.

   The main challenge (besides planting too late and having the heads prematurely flower in summer heat) is protecting leaves and heads from cabbageworms, which are slender green caterpillars that can decimate plants and lodge within the florets. The best solution is to keep plants covered with floating row covers, which prevents the white adult moths from laying eggs. Or spray every seven to 10 days with Bt, an organic caterpillar-killer.

* Great partner: Interplant with onions or leeks. Or plant ‘Packman’ in blocks with cabbage and other cabbage-family plants (cauliflower, kohlrabi, kale, etc.) that also might need to be covered with row covers to guard against cabbageworms.