Broccoli (Purple Sprouting) Growing Guide

Broccoli (Purple Sprouting)

Crop Rotation Group

Brassicas (Cabbage family) ●

Soil

Rich, deep soil, firm with plenty of well rotted compost, composted manure, or balanced organic fertilizer dug in prior to planting.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

Yes.

Feeding

Mix composted manure or another high-nitrogen compost into the soil before planting. When heads begin to form, feed with a liquid plant food.

Companions

Oregano and Crimson Clover. Also, alfalfa.

Spacing

Single Plants: 1' 11" (60cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 1' 11" (60cm) with 1' 11" (60cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow fall broccoli indoors in summer, and set out when the plants are 3 weeks old.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Harvesting

Use a sharp knife to harvest the primary head when the beads are plump and well-filled. Many varieties produce numerous smaller side shoots after the primary head is cut.

Troubleshooting

Cabbageworms are small green larvae of the cabbage white butterfly. You can use row covers to keep them from eating plants.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Plant Diseases which Affect Broccoli (Purple Sprouting)