How to Grow Broccoli
'Early Purple Sprouting' from Seed
Tender purple spears from February to April, right in the hungry gap. A heritage winter crop that asks for patience and space, and repays it when little else is cropping.
Early Purple Sprouting earns its keep when nothing else is cropping. It produces tender purple spears from February through to April, in the depths of the hungry gap when a kitchen garden has almost nothing fresh to offer.
The spears are slender and deep violet, sweeter and more delicate than shop-bought calabrese. Cut the central spear first and the plant responds with a long succession of sideshoots over four to six weeks. In return it occupies ground for around ten months, so plan its space carefully. Five or six plants are enough for a family.
Quick Facts at a Glance
Crop Type
Hardy winter brassica, heritage
Sowing Time
February to June
Harvest
February to April, following year
Time in Ground
Around 10 months
Spacing
60cm each way
Difficulty
3 out of 5, moderate
Understanding the Crop
Early Purple Sprouting is a heritage, open-pollinated sprouting broccoli, Brassica oleracea (Italica Group). It grows into a large plant through summer and autumn, stands through winter, and produces its spears as days lengthen in late winter.
Established plants shrug off minus twelve, so winter is the least of the difficulties. Protecting young plants from cabbage white caterpillars in summer and pigeons in winter matters far more.
In the pan
The purple fades to dark green when cooked, but the flavour and tenderness do not. Steam or stir-fry briefly.
When & How to Sow
Sow from February to June, with April and May the most reliable. Plants go out from May to July and crop the following late winter and spring.
Firm ground
Brassicas need firm soil to anchor tall plants through winter winds. Tread the bed well before planting and don't dig it over first.
Sow in modules. Sow one or two seeds per module, 1cm deep, under cover or in a sheltered spot. Seedlings appear in one to two weeks.
Grow on. Thin to one plant per cell and pot on if roots fill the module before planting out.
Plant deep and firm. Plant out from May to July when plants are 10 to 15cm tall, 60cm apart, setting them slightly deeper than in the pot. Firm in well and water thoroughly.
Net straight away. Cover with fine insect mesh or butterfly netting as soon as you plant out.
Growing On Tips
Net against butterflies
Keep plants covered through summer to stop cabbage white caterpillars.
Pigeons in winter
Keep netting in place over winter, when pigeons strip leaves bare.
Stake in autumn
On exposed sites, stake tall plants and earth up stems to stop wind rock.
Water in summer
Water well in dry spells while plants establish.
Tidy yellow leaves
Remove yellowing lower leaves to improve air flow and reduce disease.
Keep cutting
Regular picking encourages more sideshoots for four to six weeks.
Common Problems & How to Fix Them
| Problem | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves eaten to skeletons | Cabbage white caterpillars | Net from planting and check undersides of leaves. |
| Leaves stripped in winter | Pigeons | Keep netting on through winter. |
| Plants wilt, stunted roots | Cabbage root fly or club root | Use brassica collars; rotate beds and lime acid soil. |
| Plants blown over | Loose soil or wind | Plant firmly, earth up and stake. |
| Spears flower before picking | Left too long | Pick spears while flower buds are still tight. |
When to Harvest
Spears are ready from February to April the year after sowing. Cut the central spear first when it is 10 to 15cm long and the buds are still tight, then pick sideshoots every few days.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌱 Sow | ||||||||||||
| 🪴 Plant out | ||||||||||||
| 🥦 Harvest |
Crop Specifications
Purple spears for the hungry gap
Sow in spring, plant firmly and net well, and next February you will be cutting tender purple broccoli when almost nothing else is ready.
Shop Early Purple Sprouting Seeds →