Broccoli - advice on growing it?

[catkeeble]

I'm trying to grow some Calabrese. The little buds keep opening into flowers. I heard from someone that you have to trim them back? Is this right? If so, how do you do it? Some of them seem to be growing all tall and flowery and others are just staying small and tight and not getting big at all.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[Two_Sheds]

If they are flowering, it's game over I'm afraid

[catkeeble]

Really? Are they very difficult to grow or something??

[Nicos]

It's the first time I've grown them- and this warm weather has suddenly started to push mine into flower too- just chop off and eat them as soon as they look like they're even thinking about bursting open!

[vegnut]

I'm with Nicos on this one. Don't wait for them to get that little bit bigger, if they're at an edible size then chop them off and enjoy those beauties.

[Two_Sheds]

Really? Are they very difficult to grow or something??

Have you got summer calabrese (the broccoli you buy in shops) or PSB?

If PSB, you may have planted too early & they didn't like the recent heatwave/drought.

I only start planting mine in July, for a winter harvest

[catkeeble]

sorry for delay in response...i have calabrese...

darn things are annoying me...i also have some PSB...they aren't ready till winter right?? Are PSB easier to grow generally than calabrese??

[Two_Sheds]

neither is difficult, if you plant at the right time

[Alison]

I find calabrese to be harder as I always get the timing wrong. I want them for the autumn but forget to sow at the right time (dunno why, done the same the past two years now), then they seem to get slugged more and I'm then too busy to plant out at the right time. Never seems to be a problem with PSB which is growing nicely at the plot next to my mamouth sprout plants

[catkeeble]

Perhaps that's it then...timing...perhaps I've got it wrong...will be more definate next year...same here, my PSB is taking over its little plot!! I've got sprouts too that seem to be doing great next to my PSB...yummy

Think will heed advice and chop them off now to eat in 2morows roast!!

[rustylady]

my PSB is taking over its little plot!! I've got sprouts too that seem to be doing great next to my PSB..

Both sprouts and PSB need a lot of space. How far apart have you planted them?

[Alison]

Both sprouts and PSB need a lot of space. How far apart have you planted them?

My sprouts are ridiculously tall this year, last year they were about half the height at this time of year must be all the rain we've had recently.