Red Arrow

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Tender, sky-bright sprouting florets arrive in a steady cascade—cool-season sweetness with a crisp, succulent bite and a delicately nutty edge.

Red Arrow’s compact heads hold their color beautifully, then continue producing flavorful side shoots for weeks, making it a joy to harvest repeatedly. Ideal for fresh sprout-forward salads, quick sauté-style skillet work, and vibrant steaming or stir-fries, with florets that stay pleasantly firm and never turn mushy.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 27th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	40
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Arrow is built for maximum crunch: those sprouting florets stay pleasantly firm under fast heat, so you get sweetness with a nutty, slightly peppery snap instead of mush. Use it in hot, short cook methods or fresh sprout-led salads—if you overcook, the whole party ends.

Best Uses

quick-steam then toss with butter and lemon zest to keep florets firm
stir-fry or hot-skillet sauté for sprout-forward bites that don’t slump
sprout-forward salads where crunch must survive a vinaigrette
broccoli florets in a glossy cheese sauce where the stem stays pleasantly snappy

Flavor Profile

cool-season sweetness crisp, succulent florets delicately nutty bite lightly peppery brassica finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon parmesan olive oil butter chili flakes sesame

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Brassica oleracea var. italica (Purple Sprouting) and what should I do?

Purple sprouting brassicas are commonly hit by cabbage moth caterpillars and cabbage root fly; both can be hard to spot early. Check weekly and hand-remove caterpillars, and keep a fine insect netting over plants from when shoots appear until harvest. If you see wilting or a stunted base, re-check for root fly damage and remove severely affected plants to limit spread.

How often should I water Brassica oleracea var. italica during the main growing phase?

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially as side shoots develop over the 60–70 day run. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week depending on weather, aiming to wet the root zone; if the top 1 inch of soil dries out, it’s time to water again. Mulch helps stabilize moisture so the spears don’t become tough or uneven.

How can I tell when my Purple Sprouting (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the spears are firm and reach usable size, with tight, compact heads—typically starting around day 70 and continuing as new shoots form. Cut spears cleanly at the base with a sharp knife, then leave the crown intact so additional side shoots can develop for later harvests. Stop harvesting when spears start to loosen or flower buds become visible.