🥦 Purple Sprouting Broccoli

Sowing window (UK)	April to June
Minimum soil temperature	5°C at seed depth
Sowing depth	1 cm
Spacing	60 cm apart
Days to germination	7 days
Days to harvest	290 days
Sowing method	Start under cover, transplant out
Frost hardy	Yes
Sun	full-sun
Watering	moderate
Plant family	Brassicaceae

When should I sow Purple Sprouting Broccoli in the UK?

In the UK, sow Purple Sprouting Broccoli from April to June. It is normally started under cover and transplanted. Wait until the soil has reached 5°C at seed depth rather than going by the calendar - purple sprouting broccoli will sit and rot in cold ground.

What soil temperature does Purple Sprouting Broccoli need to germinate?

Purple Sprouting Broccoli needs a minimum soil temperature of 5°C at seed depth to germinate reliably. Below that, germination is slow and patchy, and seed is more likely to rot than sprout. Measure at around 5cm down, in the morning, rather than trusting air temperature.

How deep and how far apart should I sow Purple Sprouting Broccoli?

For Purple Sprouting Broccoli, sow it 1cm deep and space plants 60cm apart.

How long does Purple Sprouting Broccoli take to grow?

Purple Sprouting Broccoli takes roughly 290 days from sowing to harvest. Seed usually germinates in about 7 days.

Is Purple Sprouting Broccoli frost hardy?

Yes. Purple Sprouting Broccoli is frost hardy and will stand through UK frosts, so it can be left out over winter in most of the country.

Sowing data cross-checked against RHS growing guides and UK seed-merchant catalogues. Soil temperatures are the minimum for reliable germination, measured at seed depth.