{"product_id":"purple-sprouting-broccoli-seeds-brassica-oleracea","title":"Purple Sprouting Broccoli Seeds — Brassica oleracea","description":"\u003ch2\u003eA Winter Garden Hero Worth the Wait\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePurple Sprouting Broccoli\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eBrassica oleracea\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most rewarding crops you can grow in a NZ winter garden. Sow in spring or early summer, tend through the cooler months, and come late winter you'll be harvesting tender, deep purple florets with a sweet, nutty flavour that puts supermarket broccoli to shame. A true slow-food experience — and absolutely worth every day of those 220 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Gardeners Love It\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e💜 \u003cstrong\u003eStunning deep purple florets\u003c\/strong\u003e — beautiful in the garden and on the plate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e❄️ \u003cstrong\u003eFrost hardy winter crop\u003c\/strong\u003e — thrives through NZ winters when little else is producing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🌿 \u003cstrong\u003eMultiple harvests\u003c\/strong\u003e — cut the central head and side shoots keep on coming for weeks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🥦 \u003cstrong\u003eExceptional flavour\u003c\/strong\u003e — sweet, tender, and nutty when lightly steamed or roasted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🌱 \u003cstrong\u003eEasy to grow\u003c\/strong\u003e — a satisfying crop for gardeners who love planning ahead\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAbout Vernalisation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePurple Sprouting Broccoli requires \u003cstrong\u003evernalisation\u003c\/strong\u003e — a period of cold temperatures — to trigger the plant into producing its flowering heads. Unlike stratification (which breaks seed dormancy), vernalisation works on the growing plant itself: the cold of a NZ winter signals to the plant that it's time to flower and produce those beautiful purple florets come late winter. This is why PSB is sown in spring or early summer, grown through autumn, and then left to experience the cold — it's not a bug, it's the feature!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Tips for New Zealand\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSow seeds indoors or in a sheltered seedling tray from spring through to early summer. Transplant seedlings to a sunny, well-drained bed once they reach 10–15 cm. Purple Sprouting Broccoli needs a long growing season — around 220 days from sowing to harvest — so timing is everything. It performs best in cooler NZ regions including Canterbury, Otago, Wellington, and the central North Island, where it will overwinter beautifully and reward you with harvests from late winter into early spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow to Sow Purple Sprouting Broccoli\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSow seeds\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–10 mm deep into moist seed-raising mix in a tray or small pots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep warm\u003c\/strong\u003e during germination — a sunny windowsill or sheltered spot works well. Germination typically takes 5–10 days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransplant\u003c\/strong\u003e seedlings outdoors once they have 4–6 true leaves, spacing plants 45–60 cm apart.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeed and water\u003c\/strong\u003e regularly through the growing season. A nitrogen-rich fertiliser in autumn will support strong growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLet the cold do its work\u003c\/strong\u003e — vernalisation through winter is what triggers flowering. Don't rush it!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e the central head first, then continue picking side shoots as they develop — the more you pick, the more it produces!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat's in the Packet\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach packet contains \u003cstrong\u003e10+ seeds\u003c\/strong\u003e of Purple Sprouting Broccoli (\u003cem\u003eBrassica oleracea\u003c\/em\u003e), with full sowing and growing instructions included.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chbotanics Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45244567617605,"sku":null,"price":3.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0734\/2974\/5733\/files\/image_0b75dd76-bae7-49d8-8291-016f0e376464.png?v=1782968223","url":"https:\/\/chbotanics.co.nz\/products\/purple-sprouting-broccoli-seeds-brassica-oleracea","provider":"Chbotanics Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}