Broccoli Summer Sprouting Purple Seeds

Info: The English broccoli variety Summer Sprouting Purple was specially bred for summer cropping, with good heat tolerance and no need for winter chilling (vernalisation) to produce its tasty purple spears. Usually sown in spring, Summer Purple will crop over many weeks, from July to November. The robust plants will produce high yields if picked regularly to promote fresh flushes of spears.

Sowing & Cultivation: Broccoli is easy to grow; for early production, sow in March (1/2 inch deep) for planting April to harvest in November. For sowing outdoors, sow April to mid June for harvesting January to May. Broccoli is more cold-resistant than cauliflower. Broccoli grows best in partial-shade, in firm, fertile, free-draining but water-retentive soil. Avoid shallow, sandy soils, and exposed sites. Place the young plants at a minimum distance of 60 cm. Sprouting broccoli can be harvested when the flower shoots are well developed but before the flowers have actually opened. Cut the central spear with a sharp knife first as this encourages the side shoots to develop quickly. Regular picking extends cropping time.