Purple sprouting broccoli is coming on stream earlier than usual this season thanks to warm spring conditions. Nearly 5,000 tonnes of the vegetables are expected to hit the market this year.
Gloucestershire grower Martin Haines said: “The mild weather certainly brought the plants on, but the lack of rain has meant that they needed irrigation. Although we haven’t been as badly affected as other crop growers in the eastern counties, the mixed weather with a very harsh winter and dry early summer has brought difficult growing conditions.
"However we have trialed new varieties to see what performs best. We’ve had some real success this year and I expect the quality of purple sprouting broccoli be some of the best we’ve ever produced as a result of these new varieties.”
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