Purple Sprouting Broccoli is an expensive vegetable to purchase but can easily be grown at very little cost. Gardening novices find out more here.
Purple sprouting broccoli, not to be confused with the standard green heads of broccoli that are sold in greengrocers and supermarkets, is a much more delicate type of broccoli that can be cropped over a long period during the spring months.Usually sold in high class grocers shops at a premium cost, purple sprouting broccoli is an easy plant to cultivate and can provide a useful spring vegetable whilst other crops are still growing.
How to Grow Purple Sprouting Broccoli
Purple sprouting broccoli can be cultivated from seeds, sown in early spring in seed pans kept in a frost free greenhouse or cool conservatory. Seedlings need to be "pricked out" into bigger containers when they have developed four leaves and a good root system.Purple sprouting broccoli can also be seeded directly into the ground around April time when the soil is warming up, but make sure to mark the rows with twine stretched between two stakes as it is easy to mistake seedlings for weeds and then hoe them up.Having said all of the above, for novice growers it is probably a good idea to wait until the local garden center has a supply of already pricked out seedlings that are ready to plant. Broccoli is a plant that is ideal to overwinter for use in the spring, so seedlings may have to be placed in a spare bit of land and then planted into their final position later in the season. For an average family six plants will produce a good crop. Just in case any plants are lost to pests it's a good idea to have a few spares.
Preparing the Land for Broccoli Plants
All Brassicas (broccoli is a member of this family, along with cabbages and sprouts) prefer firm planting. It is advisable to prepare the ground early by digging in rotted manure and later dressing with lime which helps to prevent club root disease and top dress with bone meal. Then go over the area, flattening the ground with the back of a spade to compact the soil.When planting the broccoli seedlings, firm them in with the boot heel to make sure they are enjoying the right conditions. Water the plants after they have been planted to encourage root formation. Allow a foot or more between plants.
Keeping Birds Away from Valuable Plants
In some areas the pigeons take a great liking to any Brassicas and purple sprouting broccoli is no exception. In order to deter them, bird scarers need to be placed between the plants. These can be something as simple as streamers tied to a stick that will move in the wind.
When to Pick Purple Sprouting Broccoli
The florets are ready to pick when they are about the size of one's little finger. It is good to keep on picking them as often as possible so that the plant will be stimulated to keep on producing more.