Calabrese : Early Sprouting Rudolph

Vegetable

• Crops in : 150 days from transplanting

Description

One of the earliest, Broccoli Early Sprouting Rudolph produces tasty large spears. If you live in a colder climate then you can still expect early harvests from mid February.

Sowing Instructions

Sow seeds in a well-prepared seed bed in mid to late spring in drills 12mm (½in) deep, spaced 30cm (12in) apart.

Growing Instructions

When the seedlings have four or five leaves, transplant to their final quarters 75x75cm (30x30in) apart. They will grow in most soils but must be planted firmly. Water well until they become established. Harvest in January/mid February 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.

Aftercare

To avoid the danger of Clubroot grow your Brassicas in a different site each year so that they only occupy the same spot once in four years.

Nutritional Information

Calabrese and Broccoli contain many healthy antioxidants. They are high in Vitamin A and C and are a good source of iron.

Kitchen Notes

For the best flavour, steam broccoli within hours of harvesting.