Broccoli Seeds - White Sprouting Early

600 Seeds.

Other Names - Sprouting Broccoli...

A very hardy and prolific variety producing a succession of cream coloured spears in early spring. White Sprouting Early is a worth while crop to grow as it is ready to harvest in early spring when very little else is available in the garden. The tender spears are delicious steamed or lightly boiled or added to stir fries.

• Extremely hardy, harvest early spring.
• Produces a succession of succulent cream coloured spears.
• Tender with a delicious flavour.

Suitable For - Vegetable plot, raised beds

Sowing Months - Late March - May

Harvest - February - March

Gardening is about finding the right balance! Try growing Companion Plants close by to help deter pests.

• Growing a ground covering crop such as clover around the brassica plants helps to prevent the cabbage root fly laying its eggs at the base of the plants.
• Cabbage white butterflies are drawn to nasturtiums. Try growing these flowers close by as a sacrificial plant. They will help to draw the pest away from the brassica crop.
• Calendula (Pot marigold) attracts predator insects such as lacewings, ladybirds and hoverflies who love to feast on aphids.
• White mustard can help to draw the flea beetle away from the crop as the pest normally favours this leaf. Mint can also help to deter the flea beetle.
• Low growing Limnanthes helps to keep the surrounding soil moist, supresses weed growth, attracts bees, hoverflies who's larvae feed on aphids and can be dug in as green manure to add organic matter to the soil.

Soil Preperation

Add well rotted manure of compost a few months before sowing or planting (ideally the previous autumn). Lime if necessary as brassica's prefer alkaline soils. Remove weeds from the area. Add general purpose organic fertilizer 2 - 3 weeks before sowing or planting.

Sowing Guide

Early Sowing/Module Sowing

Sow 2 - 3 seeds per 4 cm module. As soon as the seedlings emerge reduce the heat and increase daylight exposure to avoid weak growth. Keep the compost moist, avoid overwatering. When the seedlings are large enough to handle remove the weakest seedlings leaving one strong seedling per module. Plant out 2 - 3 weeks later. They will need hardening off over 7 - 10 days before planting out. Plant at the distance suggested above.
When planting out set the plants about 2 - 3 cm deeper into the ground to what they were growing in the modules. Firm the soil around each plant as brassicas dislike loose soil. Water well and cover with fine insect mesh.

Direct Sowing

When direct sowing it is best to start broccoli in a well prepared seed bed, then in a few weeks the young plants can be transplanted into their final growing position. Sow 1 seed every 3 cm at the depth and row distance suggested above. Cover the seeds with soil and water well. To avoid problems from brassica pests the crop can be covered with fine insect mesh at this stage.
When the seedlings are big enough to handle thin to 9 cm between each plant, keeping the stronger plants, discarding the weak. The young plants will be ready to transplant into their final growing position when they are 8 - 10 cm tall. Water the plants well the day before transplanting to help reduce stress. Transplant at the distance suggested above.
When transplanting set the plants about 2 - 3 cm deeper into the ground to what they were growing in the seed bed. Firm the soil around each transplant as brassicas dislike loose soil. Water well and cover with fine insect mesh.

Growing On

Hoe regularly to keep weeds under control. Water well especially in dry weather. The plants will benefit from a mulch of compost to help keep the soil moist. Keep an eye on pests, prevention is key. It is highly recommended to grow all brassicas under fine plastic insect mesh especially during the summer months as pests can spoil a heathy crop in no time.

Harvesting

The first shoots are the largest in late February or March depending on the weather. Keep an eye on the crop as mild weather can trigger the first spears to mature fast. Harvest before the flower buds show any signs of opening as flowered broccoli will loose their flavour. Cut the spears with a sharp knife, try to avoid damaging the leaves. Further spears will develop shortly, these spears will have thinner stems however they will taste equally as delicious.