PSB is it worth the wait or the effort?

[janeyo]

Hi I got a free packet of PSB. It wasn't something I had thought of growing this year as a novice.
I had some from the t-t-t-tescos (sorry the word gives me hives) and we weren't too impressed.

Is it worth the effort to try some given the long wait for it and how easy is it for a newbie?

Thanks in advance.

janeyo

[peanut]

Hi Janeyo,

I love it, it's my fave thing to grow and soooo easy.

I grow Early PSB, one seed per pot (they always seem to germinate!) keep them there till the mice wont get 'em then I just lift some turf, pop them in, water now and then, give them some support and then netting in the winter and forget them till harvest time.

I've been picking about a month now but didn't sow till late May last year, they really are better when picked and eaten straight away...so so sweet.

If you've got a corner you can give over to them I would definately recommend it!

[ClayGarden]

From one noob to another, whats PSB?

[peanut]

Purple Sprouting Broccoli!

[peanut]

What's a noob!!!??

[ClayGarden]

What's a noob!!!??

Someone that is new to a subject, geeky version of "newbie".
Sorry

[peanut]

Oh ok! thanks

[vicky]

Depends how much space you have?
It takes up the space for a long time, but it tastes great - much better fresh than the supermarket version.
I grow it as it fills a gap when there's not too much else and the taste is so good

[janeyo]

Thanks, will maybe put a couple in a few pots and give them ago. Put tghem in garden when bigger. We have a ot of pigeons so need to be a bit careful. Space not really an issue and I can always dig it up if don't like it, donate it to friends etc...

janeyo

[Two_Sheds]

Yes, PSB does take up a lot of ground per plant, for about 9 months of the year, but it gives you fresh food when not much else is growing, and you can interplant it with lettuce/radish/calendula/nasturtiums/poached eggs, ie anything quick to grow and crop.

[Janna]

It is definitely worth the wait! If you haven't eaten psb within minutes of picking it, you wont know how totally glorious it can taste. I'd even go so far as to take a camping stove to the allotment if my garden weren't outside my kitchen!!
I'd reccomend doing at least on plant even to people with a small garden, as it gives you something fresh and tasty at a time when the garden is at is most unproductive. If you have room for a few plants it's worth doing several varieties as you can get a really long crop that way, we've been eating it pretty much all winter and still got two plants producing now. I'm trying some summer sprouting broc this year too, anyone know much about that?

[peanut]

I'm trying Autumn Sprouting and Tenderstem for the first time this year.

[Flummery]

I've only got 3 plants in my garden but they are so lovely. Apart from all the points above - hungry gap, flavour etc, they just look beautiful with that deep purple head.

[nelliegemini]

Despite the fact I dug mine up and replanted it I will grow it again this year, albeit in a pot. The flavour is fantastic and now I've had a chance to look at it properly it is such a pretty plant.

Pigeons didn't bother mine, though they do come into the garden. We had a slight caterpillar problem but with only two psb and no other brassicas we just picked them off or let the wasps deal - they were fascinating to watch!