Broccoli Red Fire

One of the most attractive brassicas you can grow, purple sprouting broccoli ‘Red Fire’ will crop in early spring when there is little else growing in the vegetable garden, producing densely packed clusters of deep purple buds above thick, tender stems and rich green leaves that are just as good to eat.

‘Red Fire’ makes a colourful and tasty ingredient whether prepared raw for salads or dips, or steamed, boiled or stir-fried. It makes great soup, too – an ideal way of using up any leftover stems and leaves. Excess crops will freeze well, so you can enjoy this versatile veg throughout the year, long after its season has finished.

Although grown for its tasty purple spears, all parts of the plant are highly nutritious – a great source of fibre and protein, as well as vitamins and minerals. The leaves hold the highest levels of antioxidants and vitamins, and the stalks contain the most fibre – far too good to waste!

Easy to grow, broccoli will thrive in an open, sunny position in fertile, well draining, moisture-retentive soil. Ideally, dig in some well-rotted manure into the growing site in the autumn before sowing. There is no need to dig over the soil too much immediately before planting as undisturbed soil offers a firm roothold for brassicas and will help them establish quickly and well.

Fully deserving its coveted RHS Award of Garden Merit, you can be sure that this is a proven garden performer, guaranteed to be suitable for UK gardeners at every level of experience. You can therefore plant this in the garden with confidence and look forward to an excellent crop.

Supplied as 12 plug plants, ready to grow on or plant out, reaching a mature height of up to 90cm (3ft).