Purple sprouting broccoli has great flavour, a long harvesting season and is extremely good for you – a single portion provides half your daily requirement of carotenoids, plus high levels of folic acid and vitamins A and C. Purple sprouting is similar to, but not the same as broccoli or calabrese, as it produces smaller heads in early spring, which are purple (although they turn green when cooked).
Purple sprouting broccoli crops over a longer period than broccoli harvested in summer, and is hardier, tolerating temperatures as low as -12°C. If you choose the right varieties, and stagger your seed sowing times, you can harvest purple sprouting broccoli from autumn through to early summer the following year. White sprouting broccoli is the same as purple sprouting broccoli, but its heads (immature flowers) are white, instead of purple.
Like other brassicas, purple sprouting broccoli thrives in a fertile, firm, alkaline soil. Avoid growing it on an exposed site, where the wind will buffet the stems and loosen the soil around the roots.
How to sow purple sprouting broccoli
Sow in pots under cover from late winter to spring, or outside in the soil in summer. Unless you have lots of room, don’t sow broccoli in its final position – starting broccoli in pots or a seedbed and then transplanting to its final position is best, because broccoli takes up a lot of space in the garden.
You Will Need
- Purple sprouting broccoli seeds
- Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
- 9cm pots
- Fork
- Trowel
Step 1
Sow the seeds into small pots or multi-cell trays, using a good quality multi-purpose or loam-based seed and cuttings compost. If sowing seeds together in a pot, prick out once your sprouting broccoli seedlings are large enough to handle. Transplant them into single 9cm pots and water in well.
Step 2
Prepare the soil by forking over, removing large stones, debris and perennial weeds. Bulky organic matter is essential on lighter soils and even where soil is heavy, it’s worth adding to improve moisture retention, fertility and texture. You may need to add lime if your soil is acidic. Brassicas dislike loose soil, so prepare the ground several months in advance of planting, if you can. If not, tread over the ground to firm it before planting.
Step 3
Transplant when the plants are well grown with several true leaves and around 10cm tall. Water well beforehand, and plant them 50-60cm apart, with a similar distance between the rows. Once planted, firm all around the roots with your foot. Water again after planting. Grow six plants if you want enough broccoli to feed a family of four. Plant out sprouting broccoli throughout summer and into early autumn, though planting as late as September is best avoided in cold areas.
Step 4
Always keep the soil moist to encourage optimum growth and to avoid plants bolting (prematurely producing shoots which run to flower) during hot dry spells of weather. Remove weeds to reduce competition. If growth is slow and stems of purple buds fail to appear, use a liquid feed to give them a boost. Cover with fleece or mesh to keep out insects and birds.
How to care for purple sprouting broccoli
Water during dry spells. Keep the soil around the plants clear of weeds, which would compete for water and nutrients. Remove any yellowing leaves which could become the source of diseases.
Stake or support the plants to prevent wind rock loosening the roots.
Cover the crop with fine insect mesh to protect against caterpillars and birds.
Harvesting purple sprouting broccoli
Harvest when the flower shoots are well developed but before the flowers have started to open. In the UK, this can be from summer to late autumn for early spring-sown plants, or late winter to spring for later-sown crops.
Cut the central spear with a sharp knife first, as this encourages sideshoots to develop quickly. Regular picking of the sideshoots boosts production of more shoots and will extend the cropping time, too.
Storing purple sprouting broccoli
Use broccoli as soon as possible after harvest, for optimum taste and nutrition. Sprouting broccoli keeps for several days in the fridge and is best stored in the salad drawer.
To freeze sprouting broccoli, first blanch (part boil) otherwise it will be soggy when defrosted. Prepare by washing first and separating bulky stems into smaller pieces. Place in a large pan of boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then drain and transfer to iced water. Drain well, spread out on a baking sheet to freeze for a few hours, then store in freezer bags or lidded plastic containers.
Preparation and uses
Broccoli is simple to prepare and cook. Simply wash, then steam to use as an accompanying vegetable to many dishes. Broccoli is also good when sliced or broken into little spears and added to stir-fries, stews, or casseroles. Or use purple sprouting broccoli as the main item in dishes such as gratins and pasta – it partners particularly well with ingredients such as parmesan, blue cheese, anchovies, leeks and mushrooms. Find purple sprouting broccoli recipes from our friends at Olive Magazine.
Advice on buying purple sprouting broccoli
- Make sure you have enough space to grow purple sprouting broccoli, as it takes several months to mature
- Bear in mind that F1 varieties don’t come true from saved seed, so buy an open-pollinated variety if you want to save seed each year
- Always buy seed from a reputable supplier
Where to buy purple sprouting broccoli
Frequently asked questions
How tall does purple sprouting broccoli grow?
Most purple sprouting broccoli varieties grow up to 90cm high and wide.
How long does purple sprouting broccoli take to grow?
Purple sprouting broccoli can take up to eight months to crop, where plants stand dormant over winter, and then regrow for harvesting in early spring.
