Purple Sprouting Broccoli – Rudolph is a favourite of UK gardeners. This early maturing variety produces brilliant purple spears packed with vitamins A and C. The tender spears are perfect for steaming, roasting, or adding to soups and stir-fries, making them a versatile addition to winter meals. Technically a biennial - completing its life-cycle in the second year; but is always sown in spring and harvested in the winter. Packet Contents A packet contains approximately 40 seeds, suitable for growing a small patch of winter purple sprouting broccoli. Growing Instructions Sow under glass from March or direct sow outdoors from late April to June. Fill modular trays or small pots with seed compost and sow two seeds per module/pot, approximately 1.5 cm deep. Keep the compost moist until seedlings emerge (usually within two weeks). Remove the weaker seedling from each module once seedlings have emerged. Prepare the final growing location: well-drained, sheltered, full sun. Work in well-rotted manure or garden compost and, if soil pH is below 6.5, apply lime to deter clubroot disease. Harden off seedlings once they reach ~15 cm and the risk of frost has passed. Transplant seedlings so the lowest leaves touch the soil to encourage a strong root system. Space plants 60 cm apart, with 90 cm between rows. Protect young plants from slugs and snails. Harvest central spears in autumn when tight and well formed. Laterals will continue to produce spears approximately six weeks after the main harvest.
