- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
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Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 75 days
Family: Brassicaceae
Native: Europe
Hardiness: Frost-tolerant annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 20"–24", compact
Variety Info: Plants produce a medium-sized, 4"–6" main head followed by smaller 1" side shoots.
Attributes: Good for Containers, Frost Tolerant
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, or when soil temperature is at least 40°F, ideally 60°-85°F. Also in late summer for fall harvest. Mild Climates: Best sown in fall or winter for cool-season harvest.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting outside after your average last frost date, or 12 weeks before your average first fall frost date. In mild climates, sow in fall for harvest in late winter and early spring. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 70°–85°?, cooler (60°F) growing temperatures thereafter.
Days to Emerge: 7–14 days
Seed Depth: ⅛"
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 – 4 seeds every 24"
Row Spacing: 24"–36"
Thinning: When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 24"
Your hardiness zone is
Growing Info
Harvesting: Harvest when florets are enlarged but still closed. This will encourage large numbers of side florets.
- Rudy G.CA, United StatesVerified ReviewerRated 3 out of 5 stars1/26/26Small Heads
First time growing this variety, didn't know what to expect. Came to check the reviews to see if any had the same experience as me. Well this cultivar, for me, grew small heads. 2-3 inches from the main stock. I though this was a broccolini variety that I planted by mistake, but it's not. After cutting the "main" head I do have development of smaller side shots that are starting to size up (1-2 in). I have a few of these growing in different microclimates in my garden. All have the same growing pattern.
Started seeds 8/20/25, transplanted 10/2/25, harvested 1/25/26. Zone 9B SoCal.
Who do you grow for? FamiliesHow do you prefer to grow? Raised BedBIBotanical Interests2/2/26Hey Rudy,
Thank you for this incredibly detailed review and for taking the time to share your growing timeline and experience with Waltham 29! Your feedback about the smaller head size is really valuable, especially since you tested it across different microclimates in your garden to confirm the pattern.
Waltham 29 is known for being a compact variety, but we totally understand that "compact" can mean different things to different gardeners, especially when you're expecting those classic large broccoli heads! The 2-3 inch main heads you're describing are actually within the typical range for this variety, though we know that might not have been what you were hoping for when you planted them.
It sounds like you've got a great setup going with those side shoots starting to develop after your main harvest! Those secondary heads are often some of the most tender and flavorful parts of the broccoli plant, so you've got more delicious harvests coming your way.
Your growing timeline from August through January is really helpful information for other Zone 9B gardeners who might be planning their fall/winter broccoli crops. That's a solid growing season you put together there!
Keep on growing 🌻️
- Jake V.Rated 5 out of 5 stars2/20/255 Stars
While I have worked to grow this broccoli variety before, this year it seemed that my broccoli was blooming faster all while the pre-blooming heads were seemingly not big enough in my opinion for my typical broccoli cheese soups. This could have possibly been a fault on my part, since it may have been a nutrient issue that I didn’t supply. It’s not all bad though, as bees definitely love the flowers that sprout, and if you love bees, this is a good plant for bee nutrition. I don’t know what the bees are tasting, but I imagine Broccoli flower pollen probably taste almost like how we think broccoli with butter is like.
- Matthew F.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars11/13/245 Stars
This photo is a picture of the Waltham Broccoli, I direct sowed, and I had superior germination, also my Georgia Southern and Florida Broadleaf Mustards all germinated well. My Fall garden is looking mighty nice, thanks BI.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate - LoveyVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars11/13/245 Stars
I got broccoli sprouts too! So excited
- Laurel L.Verified BuyerRated 1 out of 5 stars6/14/241 Star
Only 25% of these seeds germinated
Which best describes you as a gardener? ExpertBIBotanical Interests6/14/24Hey Laurel,
I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance and address any concerns you may have. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️