Grown Purple Sprouting Broccoli 'Early Purple Sprouting'?

Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.

Purple Sprouting Broccoli 'Early Purple Sprouting' — Brassicas

220-240days to harvest

7-10days to germinate

Z6–9USDA zones

Moderatedifficulty

HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Start seeds indoors in late spring or direct sow in early summer for overwintering harvest. Plant out in midsummer.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
Water: 1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture
Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Spacing: 18-24 inches
Height: 10-24 inches
Season: Cool season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Deep purple heads that turn green when cooked
Size: Small to medium heads, 2-4 inches across
Shape: Loose, sprouting clusters rather than tight heads
Flavour: Sweet, nutty, and tender with less bitterness than regular broccoli

In the kitchen

Steam, stir-fry, roast, or eat raw. Excellent in pasta dishes and grain bowls. Entire stem and leaves are edible.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, cabbage root fly
Diseases: Clubroot, downy mildew, black rot, white rust
Resistance: Good resistance to cold weather diseases, moderate clubroot tolerance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
5	February – March	April – May	April – May	December – November
6	February – March	April – May	April – May	November
7	February – March	April – May	March – May	November
8	January – February	March – April	March – April	October – December
9	January	February – March	February – March	September – December
10	January	February – March	January – March	September – December
11	January	January – February	January – February	August – December
12	January	January – February	January – February	August – December
13	January	January – February	January – February	August – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

DillAttracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control cabbage worms and aphids

NasturtiumActs as trap crop for aphids and flea beetles, protecting broccoli from pest damage

MarigoldRepels cabbage moths and other brassica pests with strong scent compounds

OnionsRepel cabbage root fly and aphids while not competing for nutrients

LettuceProvides ground cover and efficient space use without competing for nutrients

SpinachGrows in broccoli's shade and helps suppress weeds around the base

CeleryRepels cabbage white butterflies and other brassica pests

ChamomileAttracts beneficial insects and may improve broccoli flavor and growth

Avoid

TomatoesCompete for similar nutrients and may stunt broccoli growth through root competition

StrawberriesBoth plants are heavy feeders that compete for nutrients, reducing yields

Pole BeansCan shade broccoli excessively and compete for space and nutrients

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 31
Protein (g): 2.57
Fat (g): 0.34
Carbohydrate (g): 6.27
Fibre (g): 2.4
Vitamin A (µg): 8
Vitamin C (mg): 91.3
Vitamin E (mg): 0.15
Vitamin K (µg): 102
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.191
Folate (µg): 65
Calcium (mg): 46
Iron (mg): 0.69
Magnesium (mg): 21
Phosphorus (mg): 67
Potassium (mg): 303
Zinc (mg): 0.42
Selenium (µg): 1.6

← PreviousOsaka Purple Mustard Next →Cabbage 'Red Express'

Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the brassicas growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Purple Sprouting Broccoli 'Early Purple Sprouting'?

Similar varieties