Fran,

De Cicco is not one of the more common varieties that the places I know would sell as plants via mail or even at local nurseries, farm stands, etc.

But the good news is that you **DO** have time to order seeds and plant.

In my zone 5 I always direct seed my broccoli in a short row and then transplant out for there to where I want the plants.

Here in my zone 5 just north of you I'd be direct seeding them around May 1 outside as I do for all broccoli, cabbage, b sprouts, etc, so for you in a zone warmer that would mean about mid-April. The seedlings grown outside are beautiful, but you need to be sure to transplant when they are about 5 weeks old or less .

I assume you know your seed sources so order from some place where you know the turnaround time will be less than about two weeks. Or perhaps you even have a nursery with eeeds racks where you could get them, but again, De Cicco is not one of the more common ones sold, as you know.

Carolyn

You definitely have plenty of time to get new seed & plant. I haven't even started my broccoli yet because I don't want it getting too leggy. Will probably be starting it within the next 2 weeks. Even if your spring crop comes in a little late, you have more than enough time to get good seedlings started to put in a little later for a fall crop.

Carolyn and Breezy, thanks. I will definitely try to save my own seeds from now on. I hadn't purchased seeds of anything since 3 years ago, and I am shocked at the prices. Mostly everything used to be a dollar something, now it is easily $2.50, even $4.50. A good incentive to save more of one's own. LOL I do save seeds of my tomatoes, peppers, squash... but broccoli is a bit more difficult with the winter in between. But I'll try. Thanks again.