Purple Sprouting Broccoli - Rudolph, 40 Seeds

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.