How to grow Broccoli Sprouts in New Zealand
Broccoli sprouts are broccoli seeds sprouted for five to seven days, eaten whole when the first seed leaves turn green. They taste mildly peppery, like broccoli, and are rich in sulforaphane, the compound that has made them popular. They grow on a kitchen bench in a jar or tray in any season, and the only real rules are clean equipment and twice-daily rinsing.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Broccoli Sprouts in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | All year | |
| Auckland | All year | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | All year | |
| Central North Island | All year | |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | All year | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | All year | |
| Canterbury | All year | |
| Otago & Southland | All year | |
| Central Otago | All year |
Not to be confused with: Broccoli microgreens, which are grown in a tray of mix and cut above the roots at 10 to 14 days, rather than sprouted in a jar and eaten whole.
Where to plant
Sprout broccoli seed on the kitchen bench in a sprouting jar with a mesh lid, or on a shallow tray. Keep it at ordinary room temperature, about 18 to 25°C, in indirect light, out of direct sun. Use seed sold for sprouting rather than ordinary garden seed, which may be treated.
How to sprout broccoli seed
- Wash the jar and lid in hot soapy water or the dishwasher before each batch.
- Put about one to two tablespoons of sprouting seed in the jar, cover with cool water and soak for about 8 hours or overnight.
- Drain well, then rinse with fresh water and drain again. Stand the jar upside down at an angle so excess water runs out.
- Rinse and drain twice a day, every day. Never leave the sprouts sitting in water.
- After 3 to 4 days, put the jar in indirect light so the seed leaves turn green.
- Harvest at 5 to 7 days, once the seed leaves have opened and greened.
To grow microgreens instead, scatter seed thickly over a tray of moist seed raising mix, keep it evenly moist with a mist spray, and snip the shoots above the mix at 10 to 14 days, when they are 3 to 5 cm tall.
Rinsing and hygiene
Rinse with clean, cold drinking water twice a day and drain thoroughly each time. Warm, wet, still conditions are what let bacteria grow, so good drainage and air movement matter more than anything.
Sprouts have caused food poisoning outbreaks overseas, including from Salmonella and E. coli, usually from contaminated seed or poor hygiene. Use seed sold for sprouting, keep equipment clean, refrigerate the finished sprouts and throw out any batch that smells sour or looks slimy. People who are pregnant, elderly, very young or have weakened immunity may want to avoid raw sprouts.
Harvesting
Harvest at 5 to 7 days, when the seed leaves have opened and turned green. Give them a final rinse, drain very well, and keep them in a covered container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
Using it
Eat broccoli sprouts raw in sandwiches, wraps, salads and on top of soups, or blend them into smoothies. Add them at the end rather than cooking them.
Varieties
- Broccoli Sprouting Seed
Pests and diseases
Sprouts are grown indoors in a few days, so there are no garden pests. The problems come from poor drainage and hygiene.
Broccoli Sprouts is rarely troubled by pests.
Diseases to watch for
- Mould Grey, fuzzy or slimy growth and a sour smell. Throw the batch out, clean the jar and rinse and drain more thoroughly next time. Fine white root hairs on the sprouts are normal and not mould.
Common questions
How long do broccoli sprouts take?
About 5 to 7 days from soaking the seed, when the seed leaves have opened and turned green.
Are broccoli sprouts safe to eat raw?
For most people, yes, if you use seed sold for sprouting, clean equipment and rinse and drain twice a day. Sprouts have been linked to food poisoning outbreaks overseas, so people at higher risk may prefer to avoid raw sprouts.
Is the white fuzz on my sprouts mould?
Fine, even white root hairs along the roots are normal and disappear when rinsed. Grey, slimy or smelly growth is mould, and that batch should be thrown out.
What is the difference between broccoli sprouts and microgreens?
Sprouts are grown in a jar for about a week and eaten whole, roots and all. Microgreens are grown in a tray of mix and cut above the roots at 10 to 14 days.
Can I use garden broccoli seed for sprouts?
Use seed sold for sprouting, which is intended to be eaten. Some garden seed is treated and is not meant for eating.
Sources we checked: Kings Seeds: Superfood sprouts; Kings Seeds: Sprouting jar; Kings Seeds: Broccoli for micros; Yates NZ: How to grow microgreens; Wikipedia: Sprouting.