Broccoli Purple, 'Rudolph', Extra Early Sprouting

Germination

Prepare the soil in autumn. Dig over, remove any stones, add some well rotted organic matter and firm. For early production sow indoors in Mar, plant out Apr harvest Nov. For direct sowing sow Apr-mid Jun for harvesting Jan-May. Sow indoors thinly into modules. Germination takes 7-14 days at 15-18°C. When seedlings reach 8cm they are ready to plant out. Water the day before moving and keep watered until established. Outdoor transplanting should be 25mm deep in a drill with 60cm spacing. Direct sow 12mm deep in rows 15cm apart. Keep watered. Once germinated thin to 60cm.

Growing

Water for the first few weeks until established. Protect from Cabbage White butterfly and pigeons. Netting is ideal. Shake off any snow over winter. May require staking. Remove any yellowing or fallen leaves and burn to prevent fungal disease.

Cultivation

Harvest when the flower shoots are well developed but before the flowers open. Timing is important as once in flower the shoots become woody and tasteless. Harvest central spear first as this encourages side shoots. Pick side shoots regularly when 10cm long. Do not strip the whole plant in one go.