Here goes, this is my first time growing PSB.

I know that PSB is spose to ready around March time... Well one of mine has already started budding.

I only put them in the ground around March/April time and they are already about 3ft tall, I have about 10 of them and they are all about the same height - only the one has sprouted (beginning to side shoot too) so far, but the others don't look far off either.

When i started them off in the outside planter I did cover them with a small polytunnel until they were literally pushing it out the ground, could this have spurred it on to grow faster.

Ground is well rotted manure with a thick layer of compost last year, and was turned a week prior to planting.

Trying to cover all variables here.

You've started them off too early, that's all.

Usually they are sown in April, planted out in June/July

You have started them far too early. Read the sowing instructions on the seed packet for sowing and planting times. However, if they are starting to produce sprouts then make use of them. Cut them and eat them.

I actually bought the seedlings from B&Q and planted them out as soon as I got them.

I made the mistake in thinking they were the normal Calabrese variety and thought it couldn't do no harm. Oh well, at least they grew.

Last year was dismal what with all the cabbage flies about, this year has been quite the success.

How big should they grow before I pick the first one? I don't want to pick it too early just incase it upsets the rest of the plant.

Cut the sprouts when they are nice and tight - don't leave them to develop and flower.

Thank you so much for your help and advice, never eaten PSB before so this is a season of many first's!

My PSB had sarted flowering as well.the variety is Rudolph,i sowed in begining of March as said on the packet and it is now flowering even before the summer variety!!!obviously i will have to harvest it but how long can i they produce for?and if i sow some more now will it grow enough to crop in the autumn or winter considering that this one flowered in under 4 months?

Bit late to sow really, but if you can find someone transplanting their seed bed PSB, you can plant some more.

You two that have PSB sprouting now, could you come back and tell us how they crop please?

I planted mine out about a week ago in it's final position which is quite a bit earlier than last year (mid / end July last year). Have a few spare plants to see if anybody up the plot wants this weekend.

My psb are still in their modules waiting for a space in which to go...

Originally Posted by RobintheBobin

My psb are still in their modules waiting for a space in which to go...

"in which to go" - you've just reminded me of my dad who drummed grammar into me from an early stage and always told me off for getting the order wrong

Originally Posted by womble

Bit late to sow really, but if you can find someone transplanting their seed bed PSB, you can plant some more.

You two that have PSB sprouting now, could you come back and tell us how they crop please?

I checked my brassicas the other day and low and behold MY psb is also starting to form a head. I too grew an early variety: Extra Early Rudolph. The sowing instructions are:
"S: March - June H: September - March - A high quality variety which produces large spears with deep purple heads over a long season. One of the earliest to crop, it is at its most delicious from November onwards."
and so I sowed some on 13 March and planted out in the lottie on 17 May to have a nice early crop (I was trying to head for Christmas as I have Claret in for the Spring) and the first purple head is forming now. I don’t mind as obviously I view any crop as a bonus, but slightly shocked by the early arrival - I'll take some pics at the weekend and report back at what occurs re cropping!

I bought a 4-pack of seeds from Unwins

Rudolph - sow mar - jun, harvest nov-feb
Red arrow - sow mar-may, harvest feb-mar
Redhead - sow mau-jun, harvest mar-apr
Summer purple - sow jan-mar, harvest jun-oct.

I've got another one, Santee that is harvest from June, so there are many different options out there.

Please excuse my ignorance, I searched for PSB on google and got Pet Shop Boys, PS Business Parks, Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing, and Public Service Broadcasting to name but a few, and I dont suppose you can grow any of these, so, what is PSB?

Originally Posted by Davyburns

Please excuse my ignorance, I searched for PSB on google and got Pet Shop Boys, PS Business Parks, Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing, and Public Service Broadcasting to name but a few, and I dont suppose you can grow any of these, so, what is PSB?

Purple sprouting broccoli.