when does purple sprouting brocolli actually sprout?!

[kerryp]

we planted some of this when it said on the packet... think it was early purple sprouting or something like that & it was sown in march i think... now we have an ABUNDANCE of leaves that are taking over the bed, but nothing else in amongst the leaves. Will this eventually happen or have we done something wrong do you think?

I can add a pic of this as well if needed as been out taking pics to get some help!hehehehe

[shirlthegirl43]

If you sowed summer sprouting broccoli it should be starting to sprout soon - they do make rather large plants though. If you are growing regular purple sprouting, it is not due to crop until much later in the year.

[Alan Farmer]

"Normal" purple Sprouting is a main Brassica, and is a superb veg for the late winter, early Spring, when little else is available. To grow it properly is a science in itself but rewards the persistent with a large crop of delicious and nutritious greens. It would take me too long to tell you the whole process, but suggest most essential points would be in the RHS encyclopedia. Well worth the effort. Alan

[kerryp]

hmmm will have to check the packet for which variety i used.. but it said it could be sown in march... it did say it was early sprouting, wonder if that means the summer one...

[pdblake]

PSB should sprout in February.....ish

[Two_Sheds]

hmmm will have to check the packet for which variety i used.. but it said it could be sown in march... it did say it was early sprouting

I think you have "normal" winter PSB, not the summer one.
Sow in Mar/Apr, plant out in June/July, harvest Dec-Mar

they are huge plants ... plant about 3 foot apart

[kerryp]

hmmmmmmm i think we need to space these out more if theyre going to be around for a while!

[Two_Sheds]

kerry, you're too late if they're already flowering. They've had it.

[kerryp]

theyre not flowering... just a great mass of leaves )

[Two_Sheds]

you'll need to net them too, against butterflies and pigeons.