When is sprouting broccoli in season

The best way to manage all these veg is to create a crop rotation scheme prior to growing. Sprouting broccoli should be sown in May.

It can be sown outside in a seed bed or inside in module trays. If sowing outside, sow thinly in rows 15cm apart at a depth of 1cm. If sowing in module trays, sow two seeds per module about 2cm deep. If both seeds germinate remove the weaker one. Whether sowing in module trays or seed beds, the plants will need to be transplanted. Plants will be ready for transplanting when they are about 15cm tall. Plant out sprouting broccoli with a spacing of cm between plants.

Water well and frequently especially in dry weather and keep the base of the plants weed free. They are tall plants that can be blown over by winter gales. Try using stakes and wire to prevent this — although they usually still produce a crop if they are blown over. Usually sprouting varieties will be ready to harvest from February onwards some varieties may be ready as soon as January, so make sure to check the seed packet.

Summer varieties will be ready to harvest between September-November. Cut the heads as they become ready and then the side shoots as they emerge. Identify which variety is which by reading the seed packet.

Sow early varieties under cover - second week of April. Sow late varieties under cover - fourth week of April. Sow early varieties in seed bed - third week of April. Sow late varieties in seed bed - first week of May. Plant early varieties sown under cover into final position - first week of July. Plant early varieties from seed bed into final position - second week of July. Plant late varieties sown under cover into final position - second week of July. Plant late varieties from seed bed into final position - third week of July.

Start harvesting early varieties - second week of February. Start harvesting late varieties - fourth week of February. Prior to planting in their final position, the ground can be used for other quick maturing crops such as lettuce and radish.

Consider carefully how many plants are required, there is little point in growing a large number of plants if the crop is too large for you to harvest. For two adults and two children, five or six plants is all that is required for a plentiful crop. They can stay in these pots until they are ready for transplanting to their final positions. Sow early varieties of purple sprouting broccoli in third week of April and sow late varieties in fourth week of April.

There is little to be gained by sowing earlier than this date use our free date adjustment feature to get the timing exactly correct for your area. In fact sowing the seeds too early will result in much larger plants which are then more liable to frost and wind damage.

Multi-purpose compost can also be used but you will need to remove or crush many more lumps in the compost. Make small holes in the compost about 1. Cover each hole with compost without firming down the compost. Although purple sprouting broccoli can withstand very low temperatures when established, the seeds germinate best and quickest when the soil temperature is in the range 21C to 27C 70F to 80F. The seeds will germinate in total darkness if you want, but immediately they germinate and you see green shoots they should be transferred to a position with lots of light.

When the seeds have germinated they require lower temperatures to grow on than for germination. If the temperature does drop, bring them inside until it rises again. Almost all good quality potting composts and general purpose multi-purpose composts have sufficient nutrients built in for the first four weeks after sowing the seeds or transplanting.

The key advantages of sowing in seed beds is that the seeds will germinate when the ground is warm enough to support germination. The seedlings will tend to be more cold weather resistant compared to growing them under cover. The disadvantages are that as soon as the seedlings emerge they may well be attacked by pests. Pigeons and other birds can pull up a whole bed of broccoli seedlings in a day. Slugs and snails can decimate them in almost the same time frame. My own personal experience is that sowing purple sprouting broccoli in a seed bed is a recipe for disaster!

As far as soil goes, purple sprouting broccoli prefers a neutral to alkaline soil. Back to Recipes Quick and healthy Quick vegetarian See more. Back to Recipes Vegetable soups Healthy soups See more. Back to Recipes Chicken curry Pasta See more. Back to Recipes Smoothies Autumn drinks See more. Back to Recipes Whole foods recipes Healthy dinners See more. Back to Recipes Vegetarian dinners Quick vegetarian See more. Back to Recipes Vegan storecupboard Vegan baking See more. Back to How to Roast timer Conversion guides.

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