Summer Purple

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Velvety, deep purple sprouting crowns rise with a jewel-like glow, tender yet richly flavored—an unmistakable sweetness that lingers on the palate.

Summer Purple forms compact, branching heads that stay attractively crisp, with florets that roast to a caramel-kissed depth and shine beautifully in fresh preparations and vibrant sauces. A favorite for gardeners who want a striking, long-season brassica with a color you can’t stop admiring in the bed.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Summer Purple Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 18th	Jul 27th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 17th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 17th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 12th	Jul 21st – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 17th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 6th	Jul 15th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 1st	Jul 10th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	Apr 27th	Jul 6th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	Apr 24th	Jul 3rd – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 18th	Jun 27th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 13th	Jun 22nd – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 3rd	Jun 12th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Mar 25th	Jun 3rd – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 16th	May 25th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Feb 27th	May 8th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 2nd	Apr 13th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Summer Purple’s compact, branching crowns carry a sweeter, less harsh brassica bite, so it stays pleasant even when served simply. Roast it hot for caramel-kissed edges, or blanch briefly so the florets keep their crisp snap instead of turning soft and cabbagey.

Best Uses

quick-roast on a hot sheet pan until edges char and tips sweeten
blanch-and-shock for a jewel-toned salad that stays crisp under vinaigrette
steam then toss with brown butter and lemon for a glossy, nutty coating
blend into a silky puree for pasta sauce with a touch of cream or tahini

Flavor Profile

sweet, nutty brassica flavor tender, velvety florets with a crisp snap slight peppery bite roasted caramel-kissed depth

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon brown butter parmesan anchovy tahini

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Brassica oleracea var. italica (purple sprouting broccoli) and how can I control it?

Watch for cabbage white caterpillars and aphids, which can chew leaves and leave sticky residue on tender shoots. Hand-pick caterpillars early, spray affected plants with insecticidal soap for aphids, and exclude butterflies with fine mesh netting from transplanting until harvest. If you see yellowing and a sudden wilting, suspect clubroot (a disease of Brassicas) and remove affected plants—avoid replanting brassicas in that soil for several years.

How often should I water purple sprouting broccoli during the main growth phase?

During the 8–10 week main growth period before harvest, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings in hot spells. Check by digging 2–3 inches down; water again when that depth feels dry, especially after cutting or harvesting new shoots. Mulch helps steady moisture and reduces stress that can slow shoot formation.

How do I know when Brassica oleracea var. italica (summer purple sprouting) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the purple shoots are firm and about 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) long with tight, compact tops; this is typically around 70 days from sowing/transplanting depending on conditions. Start cutting from the lowest, thicker shoots first, using a sharp knife to take the shoot with a short stem, and you’ll often get additional shoots for a period afterward. Stop harvest before the buds open into visible yellow flowers, since that turns the shoots tough and bitter.