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Broccoli (Sprouting)

Brassica oleracea Cymosa group

INTRODUCTION

Sprouting Broccoli, often confused with Calabrese, crops at a very convenient time of year in the spring, when there isn't much else maturing on the veg plot. Summer and autumn cropping varieties are also available.

It is a pretty straightforward crop to grow and very rewarding, cropping over an extended period.

With careful selection of varieties, it is almost possible to harvest Sprouting Broccoli on a year-round basis.

Soil Preparation

Sprouting Broccoli thrives in fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. The growing area should be sunny but sheltered from strong winds.

The addition of garden lime may be required to maintain a soil pH of around 6.5. Do not grow in a freshly manured site.

Ensure the ground is well prepared the previous autumn and has sufficient time for the soil to settle.

Sowing & Planting

Sprouting Broccoli can be sown directly into a seedbed for later transplanting but a better method of raising plants is to sow into modules or seed trays.

Sow seed from February for summer harvesting varieties (Santee) and May until June for spring harvesting varieties, into your chosen container and cover to a depth of approx. 0.5cm.

Keep at a temperature of between 5c and 15c. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transfer into a larger container. A 9cm pot is ideal.

Planting out should be from March, weather permitting, for early harvests continuing until July and August for spring harvesting varieties, at a spacing of 60cm/24inches between plants and between rows.

Ensure plants are deep enough and well firmed in, they dislike loose soil.

Do not allow sowing temperatures to rise above 25oc, Brassica seed can go into dormancy at high temperatures.

Growing & General Cultivation

After planting, water well. Once established Sprouting Broccoli requires regular watering to maintain growth. Protect establishing plants with netting to guard against attack from pigeons.

Keep growing crops weed-free and stake plants as they grow if required.

Feed once during the growing season and mulch plants if possible.

Try and avoid growing Sprouting Broccoli or any other Brassica plant type on the same ground the following year. Crop rotation is an important factor in helping to protect against disease.

Pests & Diseases

Sprouting Broccoli tends to suffer from all common pests and diseases associated with other Brassicas.

Slugs and Snails can be a problem for young plants - for remedies - see product directory.

Other pests can include Caterpillars (cabbage white). Eggs will appear on the underside of leaves during summer and can be removed by hand. Caterpillars will devastate crops within days if left uncontrolled. Chemical control is available - see product directory.

Cabbage Whitefly (not to be confused with greenhouse whitefly) can be unsightly but shouldn't affect cropping potential.

Diseases can include, Downy mildew which shows as yellow patches on foliage and affected leaves should be removed. To prevent, ensure good air circulation and low humidity. 

Powdery Mildew is a white powdery deposit that can cover stems and foliage. It is usually associated with dry weather and to prevent, avoid plants drying out. Remove affected foliage as needed or in severe outbreaks, use a suitable fungicide - see product directory.

Clubroot, a soil-borne fungal disease, affects Sprouting Broccoli which causes swelling and distortion of roots. It results in poor plant growth and subsequent loss of harvest. Avoid using ground previously used for brassica crops and ensure correct soil pH (6.5). Add garden lime as required. 

Harvesting

Once Sprouting Broccoli shoots have reached maturity, cut with a sharp knife as required. The plants will continue to produce shoots over a period of several weeks.

Be warned, Sprouting Broccoli can mature simultaneously and in warm weather can 'go over' very quickly. A simple solution to having a glut is to sow/plant a good selection of varieties frequently throughout the season to spread the harvesting period. 

Sprouting Broccoli will freeze if required.

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