Broccoli Seeds,
Early Purple Sprouting

Sow in late spring to mid-June, either direct or in a seedbed, and set the plants out to overwinter. They need overwintering, at least six weeks of cool temperatures, to produce florets, and are harvested the following late winter into spring. Plants can grow unprotected in zones 7b and warmer; in cooler regions, grow them over winter in a hoop house or greenhouse. If you're not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

Indoors: Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost in your area. Use seed trays filled with well-draining compost. Place trays in a warm, sunny location and keep the soil moist. Transplant seedlings into the garden when they have their first set of true leaves.

Outdoors: Prepare the soil by incorporating well-rotted compost or manure. Sow seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Space plants 15 to 24 inches apart. Ensure the soil is consistently moist and weed-free until germination.

After transplanting, water regularly to keep the soil moist. Apply mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer every 4–6 weeks. Watch for pests such as aphids and cabbage worms, and use organic methods to control them if needed. Support plants with stakes if they grow tall and become unstable. Harvest when the spears are firm and deep purple by cutting them off at the base with a sharp knife​​.

Broccoli is considered to be a more challenging crop for seed saving. It is a biennial and will not flower until its second year of growth.

It is easy to keep broccoli alive over winter in climates where the winter is mild. Northerners will need to get creative; established broccoli is not tolerant of temperatures below 20 F.