In 1923, the D Arrigo Brothers Company made a trial planting of Italian sprouting broccoli in California. A few crates were sent to Boston and by 1925 the broccoli market was established. The word broccoli comes from the Italian brocco meaning arm branch. Broccoli is a member of the Cruciferae family which means it s related to cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, etc. The word broccolo is the diminutive form of brocco and refers to cabbage sprout, while broccoli is plural and refers to the numerous shoots in the form of Brassica Oleracea.
Broccoli grows best in areas with a cool climate and moist soil.
Over 90 percent of broccoli is grown in California. It is grown in the Salinas Valley and the Santa Maria Valley from March through December. During the winter months, November to March, broccoli is grown in the Yuma Valley in Arizona. Planting is done by direct seeding or by transplanting seedlings started in a greenhouse. Although various varieties have slightly different harvesting time, most reach maturity from seeds in 100 to 120 days.