Purple sprouting broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is a variety of broccoli that produces clusters of purple-green spears. It's a cool-season crop that is planted in the fall and harvested in the spring. It's a hardy and easy-to-grow vegetable that can be enjoyed cooked or raw.
To grow Purple sprouting broccoli, you will need:
- Rich, well-drained soil
- Full sun to partial shade
- Purple Sprouting Broccoli seeds or seedlings
Growing Instructions:
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Sow the seeds in seed trays or pots in a greenhouse or indoors, around eight weeks before the last frost in spring.
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Transplant seedlings outdoors when they have four to six true leaves, spacing them 45cm (18 inches) apart.
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Water well and keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged.
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Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
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Provide support for the stems with a stake or cage as the plant grows.
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Harvest the spears when they are 6-8 inches long, starting from the bottom of the plant.
Chart:
Week | Task |
---|---|
1-4 | Sow the seeds in seed trays or pots in a greenhouse or indoors, around eight weeks before the last frost in spring. |
4-8 | Transplant seedlings outdoors when they have four to six true leaves, spacing them 45cm (18 inches) apart. |
8-12 | Water well and keep the soil consistently moist. |
12-16 | Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season. |
16+ | Provide support for the stems with a stake or cage as the plant grows, harvest the spears when they are 6-8 inches long, starting from the bottom of the plant. |