Sprouting Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica
Sprouting broccoli is a hardy and nutritious vegetable that produces multiple tender spears with small clusters of purple or white buds, offering repeated harvests in late winter and early spring when fresh produce is scarce. It's easy to grow in the UK, thriving in cool conditions and providing vitamins A, C, and folic acid. Unlike standard broccoli, it focuses on side shoots rather than a single large head, extending the picking season for weeks.
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Sprouting Broccoli
Planting Calendar
Growing Guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Starting seeds indoors protects young plants from cold weather and gives them a head start for transplanting after the frost risk passes.
1 Sow seeds indoors
Fill modules or small pots with peat-free seed compost. Sow two seeds per cell about deep and cover lightly. Keep in a bright, warm place like a windowsill or propagator at around to encourage quick germination.
2 Thin seedlings
Once your seedlings have emerged and developed their first true leaves, gently remove the weaker one in each cell to leave the strongest plant with plenty of room to grow.
3 Harden off seedlings
To get your plants ready for the outdoors, place them outside during the day and bring them back in at night for about a week. This helps them adjust to cooler temperatures and wind in Wycomb.
4 Transplant outdoors
Once the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least in Wycomb, move your plants to their final position. Plant them apart in firm, fertile soil, burying them up to the first leaves for stability. Water them in well to settle the roots.
5 Protect and maintain
Cover your plants with fine mesh netting to keep birds and insects away. Water regularly during dry spells to keep the soil moist, and apply a high-nitrogen feed if growth seems slow. Stake taller plants if they're in a windy spot to prevent rocking.
6 Fertilise
Give your plants a boost by applying an organic high-nitrogen fertiliser around the base when they're about tall. This encourages strong stems and plenty of spears.
7 Harvest spears
Pick the spears when they're well-formed but the buds are still tight—don't wait for flowers to open. Cut the central spear first with a sharp knife to encourage more side shoots, and keep harvesting regularly to extend the cropping period.
Related Plants
Explore similar plants you might like
Potato
Potatoes are popular tuberous vegetables that are easy to grow and provide a versatile harvest for the kitchen. They are herbaceous perennials grown as annuals, native to South America and part of the nightshade family (Solanaceae). UK gardeners typically group potatoes by harvest time: first earlies (new potatoes), second earlies, and maincrop. First and second earlies produce smaller 'new' potatoes earlier in the summer, while maincrop varieties mature later and yield larger potatoes for storage. Potatoes grow best in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Regular watering and 'earthing up' (mounding soil around the stems) as they grow will help produce a good crop and prevent tubers from turning green.
Pumpkin
Pumpkins are vigorous annual vines grown for their large, colourful autumn fruits. They thrive in warm, sunny conditions and produce long, sprawling stems that can easily run several metres. Pumpkins are frost-tender and need a good, rich soil and consistent watering through summer. With enough warmth and space, they reward you with hard-skinned fruits that store well and are ideal for both cooking and seasonal decoration.
Spring Onion
Spring onions are fast-growing, mild-flavoured onions grown for their green stems and small bulbs. They are easy to grow and can be sown in succession for a continuous harvest. Hardy varieties can even be sown in late autumn to overwinter for an early spring crop. Spring onions don't take much space and grow well in containers or between slower-growing vegetables.