The Carrot Tops Allotment Blog!

I’ve chosen to sow the seeds of Early Purple Sprouting Broccoli, because it’s a hardy variety, bursting with flavour which, with a bit of luck, will satisfy food stocks with some heavy cropping.

I think they’ll also look pretty funky next to the Brussels sprouts and some cabbage and no roast dinner would be complete without some broccoli on the side.

Early purple sprouting broccoli was the broccoli of choice for the Romans, and its name comes from the Italian ‘brocco’, meaning arm or branch. Broccoli has been grown it the UK since the 18th century, but this particular variety has only really become popular in the last 30 years or so.

Broccoli, as a variety, is in the same family as the cabbage and is related to the cauliflower. Last year I planted broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower together and it kept pests and diseases down, due to the mixture of scents and smells.

I’ve filled the seed tray of six cells and planted two seeds to each cell, and placed them about two centimetres under the compost. I expect germination within two weeks.

Broccoli is a great source of iron but it also has other health benefits. Broccoli contains glucoraphanin, which when injected into the body is transformed into sulforaphane – a compound used to fight cancer cells.

Broccoli also reduces cholesterol and improves bone health. If you have heart problems, or issues controlling blood sugar levels, broccoli will help.

(Yes I did Google the information above, as I’m not a scientist 🙂 ).

Remember that when your mother tries to force it down you!