Broccoli - Sprouting Early Purple Red Arrow
This variety was developed by Dr. Gray of Wellesbourne. It is a vast improvement on existing strains, cropping 1 week earlier and yielding up to 20% more. Sprouting Early Purple Red Arrow Broccoli produces vigorous vitamin rich plants with lots of tender flower buds. It is an extremely useful and easy to grow, hardy winter vegetable, providing lots of tasty purple heads (which turn green when cooked) during late February/March.
Sow seeds in a well prepared seed bed in mid to late spring in drills 1cm deep, spaced 30cm apart. When the seedlings have four or five leaves transplant to their final quarters 75x75cm apart. They will grow in most soils but must be planted firmly. Water well until they become established. Harvest in late winter/early spring by snapping off the flowering shoots before the flowers open. Don't remove the large leaves as these will protect the next batch of shoots.