purple sprouting broccoli

[newgrower1]

I am a new veg gower, we have just started a small patch in our garden to grow with the children.

We have just eaten our first crop pf psb. It was lovely but, i have just found this site and theres a thread about 'pinching out the tops', sorry but dont know what this means?? can anyone enlighten me as i am just about to plant the next crop??


Thanks

[womble]

Hi

Err, two things, it's rather late for PSB (are you sure you are eating it?) and you don't pinch out the tops of it. You pinch out the tops of broad beans and climbing beans and some other bits, but not PSB.

[jacob marley]

The only pinching out you do with PSB is when it is ready for picking and and eating if you keep picking it will keep providing enjoy it i do....jacob

[Alison]

My PSB was late this year and I've probably only got about half a meal left on it now. Been eating it for about a month now and it's been really good. OH is amazed that I've already sown seeds for next year as I think he assumes everything grows in a matter of days and is ready to eat!

Re pinching out the tops, I have found that when you eat the main stem bit you do tend to get more side shoots coming but that could just be coincidence.

[Noodles]

Err, two things, it's rather late for PSB (are you sure you are eating it?) and you don't pinch out the tops of it. You pinch out the tops of broad beans and climbing beans and some other bits, but not PSB.

The PSB at our lotty is still going great guns. I don't have any myself but the plots either side are over run and both told me to help myself as they can't eat it quick enough!

[newgrower1]

thanks for the replies, need all the help I can get!! its all a little daunting at first, must say, we had bundles of psb had to give it away to friend and family too!! that was after leaving enough for our family of five to feed us a couple of times per week for a few weeks, i was rather pleased with myself, i must have got muddled with the pinching on another thread maybe?? so when i plant the new little psb's into their beds and they begin to grow, once the main head is ready am i correct in thinking that its best to snip that off and i may get lots of side stems? because i did nothing to them last time, just weeded and watered, weeded and watered/??!!/?

[womble]

The PSB at our lotty is still going great guns. I don't have any myself but the plots either side are over run and both told me to help myself as they can't eat it quick enough!

Really? Very late then, but I suppose the weather was cold later than normal, mines been gone for a few weeks though.
Jealousy rears it ugly head.

thanks for the replies, need all the help I can get!! its all a little daunting at first, must say, we had bundles of psb had to give it away to friend and family too!! that was after leaving enough for our family of five to feed us a couple of times per week for a few weeks, i was rather pleased with myself, i must have got muddled with the pinching on another thread maybe?? so when i plant the new little psb's into their beds and they begin to grow, once the main head is ready am i correct in thinking that its best to snip that off and i may get lots of side stems? because i did nothing to them last time, just weeded and watered, weeded and watered/??!!/?

Once the main head grows you eat it, presumably you must have done that last time? Otherwise it would just have flowered.

[Alison]

I intend to plant my plants for eating next year out in their final bed in late June / early July although I know some people who do it earlier. Last year it was nearer the end of July but I think most of the lateness has been down to the cold winter.

[Patchninja]

Surely it depends on what variety you're growing as to whether or not it's late! You can crop all year round, in theory. I think it's Unwins that do a 4-pack of different seeds. I've got some growing that should be ready in June.

[GrowingVegRocks]

Can I sow purple brocolli for later this year?

Thanks for your help.

[Alison]

Normal PSB crops in spring from a sowing about a year before however there are some seed companies which are selling sprouting types which will crop in a single season. Never tried them myself but it could be worth a try if you're desperate for some. Personally I've got enough beans, courgettes etc to be eating in the summer / autumn without brassicas so phase most of mine for winter / spring as it suits me better

[Sheikh Yerboutti]

I have some going strongly, I sowed in march, says on packet, crop sept/oct. Its called Mr Fothergills sprouting summer purple. First time of growing it, so not sure what to do, can I cut it and will it resprout?

[Patchninja]

Found the packet.

Rudolph - sow Mar-June, harvest Nov-Feb.
Red Arrow - sow Mar-May harvest Feb-Mar
Redhead - sow May-Jun harvest Mar-Apr
Summer Purple - sow Jan-Mar harvest Jun-oct.

And I'm growing another one called Santee to harvest from June to October.

[Nik]

Mine is finished now so I pulled it up yesterday - although if you have the space to spare the flowers are quite nice. Already got the seedlings for next year's crop on the go on the windowsill - delicious!

[goddess]

This thread is very usefull.I am growing PSB for the first time this year,started in March on a windowsill and plants have been in the ground for at least 6 weeks now and about a foot high.I think it is Rudolph.since then i got the summer PSB to make use of the limed bed but it is still tiny and in ground already.Does it need any special care i.e fertlizer or netting?