F1 Santee (early)

Santee (Early Purple Sprouting Broccoli)
Enjoy homegrown purple sprouting broccoli months earlier than usual! Santee is an early-cropping variety that doesn’t need a cold spell to produce its delicious, tender spears. Expect beautifully coloured florets with a rich, fresh flavour and a long picking season — perfect for steaming, stir-fries, or simply tossed in butter. A compact grower that delivers quick, tasty results!

Harvest
June to November – pick spears when well-formed but before the buds open. May also survive a mild winter for extended cropping.

Growing Instructions

• Spacing & Positioning: Plant 60cm apart in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil.

• Watering: Keep well watered until established and throughout dry spells to ensure tender, succulent spears.

• Encouraging Growth: Pick the central spear first to encourage multiple tasty side shoots to develop.

• Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every two weeks during active growth to support strong, steady cropping.

• Insects: Protect plants from cabbage white butterflies and aphids using fine mesh netting or fleece.

Top Tips

• Speedy Harvest: Pick spears promptly — once they start to flower, the flavour quickly turns bitter.

• Storage Tip: Freeze freshly harvested spears to enjoy their tender sweetness year-round.

• Continuous Crop: Harvest regularly to keep new shoots coming for weeks.

• Cooking Tip: Steam lightly or roast with olive oil and sea salt for a vibrant, delicious side dish.