HeirloomContainer OK

Purple Sprouting Broccoli 'Early Purple Sprouting'

Brassica oleracea var. italica 'Early Purple Sprouting'

A stunning heirloom variety that produces abundant purple flower heads over an extended harvest period. Unlike regular broccoli, this cold-hardy gem overwinters and provides fresh spears when little else is growing in the garden. The purple heads turn green when cooked and offer a sweet, nutty flavor that's considered superior to regular broccoli.

Harvest

220-240d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

6–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

10-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Purple Sprouting Broccoli 'Early Purple Sprouting' in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 brassica →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Purple Sprouting Broccoli 'Early Purple Sprouting' · Zones 6–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilRich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonCool season

FlavorSweet, nutty, and tender with less bitterness than regular broccoli

ColorDeep purple heads that turn green when cooked

SizeSmall to medium heads, 2-4 inches across

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	March – April	May – June	May – June	December – October
Zone 4	March – April	May – June	April – June	December – October
Zone 5	February – March	April – May	April – May	December – November
Zone 6	February – March	April – May	April – May	November – November
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	March – May	November – November
Zone 8	January – February	March – April	March – April	October – December
Zone 9	January – January	February – March	February – March	September – December
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	January – March	September – December

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

The fruits dry and split when ripe.

Color: Brown/Copper, Green. Type: Siliqua. Length: > 3 inches.

Garden value: Edible

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Bloom time: Spring, Summer

Edibility: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Purple Sprouting Broccoli 'Early Purple Sprouting' stores best unwashed in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper drawer, maintaining quality for 5-7 days. Unlike regular broccoli, the stems remain tender longer, extending usability.

For longer preservation, blanch spears in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, shock in ice water, drain thoroughly, and freeze in airtight containers for up to 10 months. The purple color will fade during blanching but flavor remains excellent.

Dehydrating works exceptionally well with this variety's sturdy stems. Slice stems into coins and florets into uniform pieces, dehydrate at 135°F for 8-12 hours until crisp. Store in airtight containers for up to a year – perfect for adding to soups and stews.

Fermenting offers another preservation method: chop roughly, salt at 2% by weight, pack in jars, and ferment 3-7 days at room temperature. The resulting product adds probiotics and tangy flavor to winter meals while retaining most nutrients.

History & Origin

Purple Sprouting Broccoli 'Early Purple Sprouting' represents one of Britain's most cherished heirloom brassicas, with documented cultivation dating back to the 1700s. This variety emerged from centuries of careful selection by English market gardeners who recognized the value of fresh vegetables during the 'hungry gap' – that challenging period between winter storage crops running out and spring vegetables becoming available.

The variety likely developed from wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea) growing along Mediterranean coasts, gradually adapted to Britain's climate through generations of saving seeds from the earliest-producing plants. Victorian gardeners particularly prized 'Early Purple Sprouting' for its reliability and extended harvest period.

Unlike the large-headed calabrese broccoli Americans know today (introduced from Italy in the 1920s), purple sprouting broccoli remained the standard in British gardens until World War II food shortages shifted focus to faster-maturing crops. The variety experienced a renaissance in the 1990s as gardeners rediscovered its superior cold tolerance and exceptional flavor.

Today, 'Early Purple Sprouting' serves as parent stock for numerous modern cultivars, though many consider the original still unmatched for flavor complexity and winter hardiness.

Advantages

+Attracts: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
+Wildlife value: It serves as a host plant for butterflies, moths, flies, sawflies and beetles.
+Edible: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control cabbage worms and aphids

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and flea beetles, protecting broccoli from pest damage

Marigold

Repels cabbage moths and other brassica pests with strong scent compounds

Onions

Repel cabbage root fly and aphids while not competing for nutrients

Lettuce

Provides ground cover and efficient space use without competing for nutrients

Spinach

Grows in broccoli's shade and helps suppress weeds around the base

Celery

Repels cabbage white butterflies and other brassica pests

Chamomile

Attracts beneficial insects and may improve broccoli flavor and growth

Keep Apart

Tomatoes

Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt broccoli growth through root competition

Strawberries

Both plants are heavy feeders that compete for nutrients, reducing yields

Pole Beans

Can shade broccoli excessively and compete for space and nutrients

Nutrition Facts

Calories

31kcal(2%)

Protein

2.57g(5%)

Fiber

2.4g(9%)

Carbs

6.27g(2%)

Fat

0.34g(0%)

Vitamin C

91.3mg(101%)

Vitamin A

8mcg(1%)

Vitamin K

102mcg(85%)

Iron

0.69mg(4%)

Calcium

46mg(4%)

Potassium

303mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #747447)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to cold weather diseases, moderate clubroot tolerance

Common Pests

Cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, cabbage root fly

Diseases

Clubroot, downy mildew, black rot, white rust

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Purple Sprouting Broccoli 'Early Purple Sprouting' take to grow?▼

'Early Purple Sprouting' requires 220-240 days from seed to first harvest, making it a long-season crop. Seeds started in late May won't produce harvestable heads until the following February or March. This extended timeline allows plants to build energy reserves needed for overwintering and spring production.

Can you grow Purple Sprouting Broccoli 'Early Purple Sprouting' in containers?▼

Container growing is challenging due to the plant's large size and long growing season. You'll need containers at least 20 gallons with excellent drainage. The main limitation is overwintering – containers freeze solid in cold climates, killing roots. Success requires moving containers to unheated greenhouses or cold frames during winter months.

When should I plant Purple Sprouting Broccoli 'Early Purple Sprouting' seeds?▼

Plant seeds indoors in late May to early June, or direct sow in early July. This timing ensures plants establish strong root systems before winter dormancy. Planting too early results in premature flowering, while late planting doesn't allow sufficient development for successful overwintering.

What does Purple Sprouting Broccoli 'Early Purple Sprouting' taste like?▼

The flavor is distinctly sweeter and nuttier than regular broccoli, with less bitterness and a more complex taste profile. Cold exposure actually improves flavor by converting starches to sugars. The purple heads turn green when cooked, and the tender stems offer a pleasant crunch similar to asparagus.

Is Purple Sprouting Broccoli 'Early Purple Sprouting' good for beginners?▼

This variety requires moderate gardening experience due to its precise timing requirements and long growing season. Beginners often struggle with the 7-8 month commitment and proper overwintering techniques. Start with faster brassicas like regular broccoli or cabbage to build skills before attempting purple sprouting varieties.

Purple Sprouting vs regular broccoli - what's the difference?▼

'Early Purple Sprouting' overwinters and produces multiple harvests over 8-10 weeks, while regular broccoli forms single heads in summer. Purple sprouting has superior cold tolerance, sweeter flavor, and completely edible stems and leaves. However, it requires much longer growing time and more garden space than conventional broccoli varieties.