Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica
Purple and white sprouting broccoli are among the most rewarding winter vegetables — hardy, productive, and ready to harvest in the hungry gap of late winter and early spring when the garden has little else to offer.
SowingStart indoors
Sunlight☀️ Full sun
Water💧💧 Moderate
Days to harvest220–280
Soil pH6.5–7.5
Spacing60cm × 60cm
Planting Calendar
🌏 Adjusted for southern hemisphere seasons.
Sow indoorsSow outdoorsTransplantHarvest
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Purple Sprouting Broccoli
This is the classic overwinter brassica of the British kitchen garden. Sow in spring, transplant after midsummer, and harvest side shoots from February to April — right when the garden is at its emptiest. It's a long commitment but enormously rewarding.Calabrese
The green 'tree broccoli' sold in supermarkets is actually calabrese (Brassica oleracea var. italica), a summer crop sown from April to June and harvested 10–12 weeks later. It does not overwinter.Club Root Prevention
Lime the soil to pH 7.0–7.5 before planting if club root is a risk. Rotate brassicas rigorously. Firm transplants in well to minimise air pockets.Soil: Firm, fertile soil with good drainage. Firm soil prevents wind-rock in tall plants.