How to Grow Green Sprouting Broccoli Imperial
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Green Sprouting Broccoli Imperial
Brassica oleracea var. italica
vegetableGreen Sprouting Broccoli Imperial is a cold-hardy brassica variety prized for producing abundant side shoots after the main head is harvested. This cultivar is particularly noted for its ability to thrive in cool seasons and its extended harvest period, making it ideal for fall and spring gardens.
When should you plant Green Sprouting Broccoli Imperial in your zone?
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Example Green Sprouting Broccoli Imperial timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Green Sprouting Broccoli Imperial
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Green Sprouting Broccoli Imperial
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Green Sprouting Broccoli Imperial dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, with best performance in cooler zones 4-8
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Get my Green Sprouting Broccoli Imperial timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall leaves emerge with cotyledons visible. Plant develops first true leaves.
Keep soil moist but not soggy. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to proper spacing or transplant when 2-3 true leaves appear.
Vegetative
3-4 weeksPlant develops sturdy stems and deep green leaves. Robust branching structure forms.
Water consistently, apply balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Keep weeds controlled. Monitor for pest damage.
Head Development
2-3 weeksCentral dome-shaped head forms, composed of tight green florets. Head diameter reaches 4-6 inches at maturity.
Apply side-dressing of nitrogen fertilizer. Ensure consistent watering. Remove yellow leaves. Check for cabbage worms.
Harvest and Side Shoot Production
4-8 weeksMain head is cut. Secondary shoots develop along the stem, each producing smaller broccoli crowns.
Cut main head at 45-degree angle. Continue watering and fertilizing to encourage side shoots. Harvest side shoots when 3-4 inches long.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers, hand-pick, apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), or use organic spinosad spray
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Remove by hand, use Bt spray, neem oil, or insecticidal soap
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Use row covers on seedlings, diatomaceous earth, neem oil, or spinosad
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Spray with strong water jet, insecticidal soap, neem oil, or encourage beneficial insects
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Rotate crops (3-year minimum), plant in raised beds, maintain soil pH above 6.8, remove infected plants
Uses
Fresh cooking and steaming
CulinaryBroccoli florets are excellent steamed, roasted, or stir-fried and retain their tender texture and sweet flavor. The dense florets and side shoots provide multiple harvests from a single plant. [source]
Raw consumption and salads
CulinaryYoung florets can be eaten raw in salads and with dips, offering a crisp texture and mild sweetness. Stems are also edible when peeled. [source]
Sulforaphane and cancer prevention
MedicinalBroccoli contains glucosinolates that convert to sulforaphane, a compound studied for its potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Eating broccoli raw or lightly cooked maximizes sulforaphane content. [source]
Nutritional powerhouse
MedicinalBroccoli is rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber, and various phytonutrients supporting immune function and bone health. One serving provides substantial nutritional benefits. [source]
Extended harvest efficiency
HouseholdThe side-sprouting nature of Imperial variety means a single plant produces multiple harvests over 2+ months, maximizing garden space efficiency and reducing replanting needs. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Cut the main central head when it is tight, firm, and 4-6 inches in diameter, using a sharp knife at a 45-degree angle about 5-8 inches below the head. Harvest in the morning when heads are cool and firm. After main head removal, side shoots will develop along the stem; harvest these shoots when they reach 3-4 inches in length every 3-4 days. Continue harvesting side shoots for 4-8 weeks. Broccoli tastes sweetest after a light frost.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Broccoli is actually an immature flower cluster—the florets are unopened buds that would bloom into yellow flowers if left unharvested.
- 🌱 Green Sprouting Imperial varieties produce significantly more side shoots than standard broccoli, often yielding 15-25 secondary harvests from one plant.
- 🌱 Broccoli tastes noticeably sweeter after exposure to frost, as the plant converts starches to sugars as a natural antifreeze mechanism.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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