BROCCOLI ‘Marathon’ Vegetable Seeds
Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. italica
- Premium hybrid broccoli for cool-season production—uniform, heavy dome-shaped heads.
- Outstanding field holding and post-harvest quality; trusted by commercial growers.
- Blue-green crowns with tight, fine beads and excellent flavour.
- High-yielding and dependable across autumn, winter and early spring in Australia.
- Nutrient-dense: naturally high in vitamins C & K and dietary fibre.
- Versatile in the kitchen—ideal for steaming, roasting, stir-fries or freezing.
Broccoli ‘Marathon’ is a reliable cool-season hybrid bred for uniform maturity and consistent yields, making it a favourite for market gardens and serious home growers. For side-by-side comparisons with other broccoli types and seasonal planting advice, see our Complete Guide to Growing Broccoli Varieties in Australia.
Plant Details
- Plant Type: Annual cool-season vegetable
- Mature Height: 60–80 cm
- Habit: Compact, upright with strong stems
Sowing Information
- Germination: 7–14 days
- Sowing Depth: 1–2 cm
- Position: Full sun to partial shade
- Sow Where: Direct in beds or raise in seed trays for transplanting
- Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil, pH 6.0–7.0; enrich with compost before sowing
- Spacing: 45–60 cm between plants; 60–75 cm between rows
Growing Tips
- Keep moisture even to support steady vegetative growth and dense head formation.
- Feed with a balanced fertiliser early, then side-dress with nitrogen as heads develop.
- Mulch to conserve moisture, suppress weeds and moderate soil temperature.
- Harvest promptly while heads are tight—before florets begin to loosen.
- Rotate away from brassicas yearly to reduce soil-borne pests and disease.
Harvest
Matures in approximately 65–80 days from transplanting. Heads are heavy, firm and uniform with excellent post-harvest holding quality for market and storage.
When to Sow Broccoli ‘Marathon’ in Your Climate
| Climate Zone | Best Planting Time | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Temperate | March–June, August–September | Plant in cool months; ‘Marathon’ holds well in the field to stagger harvests. |
| Subtropical | March–May, August–September | Best in shoulder seasons; water consistently during warm spells. |
| Tropical | Not recommended | Choose heat-tolerant leafy brassicas instead. |
| Cool | February–April, August–September | Excellent cool-season choice; protect seedlings from hard frost. |
| Arid | March–May | Sow in cooler periods; mulch well and irrigate regularly for firm heads. |
Want to compare ‘Marathon’ with other broccoli types? Read our
Complete Guide to Growing Broccoli Varieties in Australia for variety overviews, seasonal tips and succession-planting advice.