Purple Sprouting Broccoli
Brassica oleracea (Italica Group) 'Early Purple Sprouting'
Photo by AlanGardenMaster (All rights reserved)
Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Frost Hardy
H4
RHS hardiness
-10°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
50cm | Max | 40cm |
30cm | Min | 30cm |
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has no fragrance
More images of Purple Sprouting Broccoli
Purple Sprouting Broccoli Overview
Brassica oleracea var. italica 'Early Purple Sprouting' is commonly known as purple sprouting broccoli. It produces small flower heads and tender stalks. This is an excellent autumn crop for cold climates that can be used either fresh or frozen. Not only are the flower heads edible but so are the stalks, buds, and leaves.
Common problems with Purple Sprouting Broccoli
This variety is very disease resistant but can be affected by Cabbage White butterfly. Remove any yellowing or fallen leaves and burn them to prevent fungal diseases.
Purple Sprouting Broccoli Companion Plants
Borage, onions, spring onions, leeks, cucumber, celery, dill, rosemary, sage, nasturtium
How to harvest Purple Sprouting Broccoli
Harvest the central head 8-10 weeks after planting out the seedlings when it is fully developed but still compact in late winter to late spring. Cut the heads while they're in a tight bud; Pick once a week in cool weather and twice a week in warm weather to encourage the development of side shoots.
How to propagate Purple Sprouting Broccoli
Seed
Sow seeds directly, 10-15 mm deep and 30 cm apart in Summer. Germination takes 7-12 days. Or start seeds indoors and transplant once they are 6-8 cm high, 30 cm apart, in drills of 2.5 cm deep.
Special features of Purple Sprouting Broccoli
Crop rotation
Purple Sprouting Broccoli is a heavy feeder and the crops should be rotated more often than once every four years to prevent the risk of club root infestation.
Other uses of Purple Sprouting Broccoli
Culinary
Culinary
Medicinal
Vegetables to Grow Through Winter
These crops will keep growing throughout the winter if provided with some protection from the worst of the winter weather.
