Focus on… Sprouting Broccoli

IT’S something that gets us in an excitable frenzy when it’s in season, and yet few of us remember to sow this delicious vegetable in spring. A long-term commitment it may be, but why not sow some purple (or white) sprouting now? It’s sure to satisfy your inner cook 12 months from now…

Space and time required

There are two key things you need to remember when you are growing sprouting broccoli: it takes a long time to mature, and the plants can become huge. Conventional types are sown now, yet they won’t produce their harvest of delicious, tender spears until March or April – no wonder many of us forget to grow them. But advances in breeding mean that summer-maturing varieties are now available (see overleaf), and you can cleverly interplant with short drills