am i too late

[milly2306]

to sow broccoli from seed or should i buy plants (don't really like buying plants, prefer to grow my own) and if i'm not too late which variety should i sow? never grown broccoli before lol.
xxxmillyxxx

[Alison]

Sorry to be pedanitic but do you mean brocolli as in purple sprouting brocolli with the little spears in spring or calabrese which the supermarkets call brocolli ie the big green heads? If it's the first then you're a bit late but should be just about OK and if it's the latter then you've plenty of time, not sowed all of mine yet as I like most of my crop in autumn. Can't remember the variety I have though, can look it up when I get home if that's any help although I do know I bought it from Kings Seeds.

[milly2306]

hi
thanks for that, its the latter, calabrese. i will have a look on kings web site. thanks again
xxxmillyxxx

[piskieinboots]

I posted this on another thread this morning:

Raab?

Its real value is a harvest in late summer & autumn when ordinary broccoli isn't available, but is also great as a very early spring crop in a polytunnel. Thinnings are excellent in salads or stirfries.



Cima Di Rapa 'San Marzano' (60 days)
Quick growing plants that reach about 1 ft tall, making green sprouts used just like sprouting broccoli – but much quicker and easier to grow.

[kingkano]

I thought it'd be the opposite Alison? Some of my Purple Sprouting Broccoli packs say sow June, but Calabrese has to be sown in April doesnt it?

[oldie]

Purple sprouting has a long growing season i.e sow now and harvest next March- May, but several Calabrese can be sown as late as July and will crop this year in late Autumn.