Plant out your Purple Sprouting Broccoli this month — conditions are right now.
Growing Calendar
This month: May
Log to journalMove seedlings outside carefully
- •Harden off plants
- •Prepare soil outdoors
- •Space plants correctly
- •Water well after planting
Watch Out For
Cabbage white caterpillars strip leaves
check undersides weekly from late spring and remove egg clusters and caterpillars by hand
Pigeons strip plants bare in winter
netting is essential and should be in place before the first cold snap attracts hungry birds
Clubroot distorts roots and kills plants in acidic soil
lime the bed in winter to raise pH above 7 if clubroot has been a problem before
Grown Organically
Every method in this guide works with natural systems — no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts.
Read our approachCommon Questions
About growing Purple Sprouting Broccoli in the UK
Why does purple sprouting broccoli take so long to grow?
PSB is a long-season crop — sow in spring, plant out in early summer, and harvest the following February to April. This long development is necessary for the plant to vernalise (experience cold), which triggers the formation of the purple sprouts.
When is purple sprouting broccoli ready to harvest?
Harvest PSB when the purple florets are tight and compact — before any yellow flowers open. Cut the central head first to encourage side shoots to develop. Pick side shoots regularly to extend the harvest over 6–8 weeks.
Why are there caterpillars all over my broccoli?
Cabbage white caterpillars are the most common broccoli pest. Net plants from planting out to prevent butterflies laying eggs. Check undersides of leaves weekly and remove eggs and caterpillars by hand.
Does purple sprouting broccoli need staking?
Tall plants in exposed positions should be staked in autumn before winter winds arrive. Push a stout cane alongside the main stem and tie in loosely. Firm soil around the base is the most important measure — loose soil causes rocking and poor roots.
Member guides
There's more to growing Purple Sprouting Broccoli than this guide covers.
Seasonal reminders, deeper guides, and the small adjustments that change a harvest.
