Growing Purple Broccoli

Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep in seed trays filled with soilless seed-starting medium six to eight weeks before your last expected frost. Allow the seedlings to sprout in a greenhouse or cool room with access to light.

Prepare the ground where you will be planting the seedlings while waiting for the seeds to sprout. Choose a spot that has either full sun or partial sun. Avoid areas that may become water logged. Broccoli prefers rich, firm soil, which can be obtained by adding manure to the soil and dusting it with lime before planting. Top it off with bonemeal and flatten the ground to compact it with the back of a spade.

Plant the seedlings in the prepared soil when they have developed a good root system and have sprouted four leaves. Leave 12 inches between each plant. Press the plants firmly into the ground and water them well, to ensure good root formation. Broccoli transplants well, so no special care is needed.

Fertilize each plant when the seedlings have formed leaves and are 4 to 6 inches tall. Water the fertilizer in well, if no rain is expected within 24 hours of fertilizing. Keep your plants well watered especially in dry weather or if the soil is sandy. When the heads are forming, ensure the plants get sufficient amounts of water.

Weed your broccoli to maximize growth. Further enhance the growth by putting a layer of compost around each plant, but ensuring the compost does not touch the plant leaves or stems.

Harvest your purple broccoli when the buds grow to the size of cotton swab or a match head. Use a knife and cut the stem once the bud heads have formed. Place the harvested broccoli in the refrigerator immediately after cutting until used.