Seed sprouting broccoli now for a fall harvest

Author: Cindy Tong

Sprouting or mini broccoli is a cross between the heading broccoli most familiar to Americans and gai lan, or Chinese broccoli. Instead of just one main head that many heading broccoli varieties produce, sprouting broccoli can form a small crown, and thereafter, numerous side shoots that can be harvested for months, such as from August to October. Some heading broccoli varieties (like Gypsy) can also produce small side shoots if the plants are not pulled after the main head is harvested, but may not be as prolific as sprouting broccoli.

With the help of Tim Kirkman of Fox and Fawn Farm in New Germany, Joan Olson of Prairie Drifter Farm in Litchfield, and Charlie Rohwer of the Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca, we tested several different varieties of sprouting broccoli for yield and consumer liking in 2024 and 2025. The varieties BC1611, Burgundy, and Montebello yielded well at all sites. If transplanted at the same time in the spring, these varieties produced florets in succession, with BC1611 first, Burgundy second, then Montebello (shown left to right below). Similar results occurred when transplanted on July 23, 2025 in Waseca. BC1611 florets have long stems, which makes them easy to pick and bunch. The stems can get a little tough as the plants get older. Burgundy florets are purple, which appeals to some consumers. Montebello produces blocky florets, that are most like heading broccoli side shoots. In our consumer taste tests, volunteers rated the sprouting broccoli highly, although they liked the side shoots of Gypsy a little better.

If seeded now, sprouting broccoli should be ready to transplant around the middle of August, and depending on the weather, harvestable into October. For more details on our sprouting broccoli work, see the 2026 Minnesota Department of Agriculture Greenbook.

BC1611

Burgundy

Montbello