Days to Maturity: 120 to 200
An Old English type, Purple Sprouting Broccoli is grown as a flower or head vegetable. The plant sets small purple heads that have a sweet flavor and turn green when cooked. Broccoli is considered a superfood for its nutrient rich content, having a high (top 20) Aggregate Nutrient Density Index score (ANDI), or micronutrient-per-calorie density. It is high in fiber and vitamins C and K. It is a great source of calcium and iron and contains antioxidants.
An herbaceous biennial, typically grown as an annual, Purple Sprouting Broccoli is a member of the cabbage and mustard family (Brassicaceae or Cruciferae), commonly called crucifers, brassicas, or cole crops. The plant grows slowly through winter but sprouts prolifically in spring.
Broccoli is easy to grow from seed, growing best in locations with full sun and organically rich, consistently moist, well-draining loams having a slightly acid pH of 6 to 7. Broccoli benefits from a fertilizer with a balanced ratio of nutrients, preferably 10:10:10, in the early stages of growth.
A cool-season, winter-hardy vegetable, the toughest of the cool-season crops, one of the first to be planted in the garden, broccoli seed can be direct sown into the garden as soon as the soil is workable in early spring, approximately 4 weeks before the last frost date. Seeds can also be started indoors 6 weeks before transplanting into the garden, early spring and fall. It needs cold temperatures to germinate and grow, withstanding light frost and temperatures below 28°F. Row covers offer added protection from heavy frost. Mulching helps to moderate soil temperature and to maintain soil moisture.
If you plan to start your seeds indoors, be sure to check out our Bio Dome Seed Starter Kit. With the Bio Dome, you can control the temperature, light, and soil mix to ensure your seeds become strong for transplant.
