Purple Sprouting Broccoli (PSB)

[Alison]

Mine usually harvests for about a month and is only about half way through now from a May sowing in pots last year. Think I planted it out about end of June but not 100% certain and don't have my spreadsheet to hand. Only tend to grow about 4 plants as they get huge but still get plenty of sprouts from that to keep us nicely fed with something different to go with the last of the carrots / swede / kale as well as the start of the spring cabbage and some calibrase which I've forced in the polytunnel. Bit of asparagus this year too so we've loads of lovely fresh stuff - really enjoying the different tastes

[jacob]

Ah! PSB. I sowed some fairly late in 2010 (August I think). It didn't do anything at all last spring, but I was loath to remove such big healthy plants (I know, I know...). So I sort of planted around it and they, along with some less impressive ones from last years are now producing a crop.

Not sure that it's a massive crop, and something (sparrows?) seems to be eating it.

[Rabidbun]

Hmm. This does not bode well. Reading these posts, am I right in coming to the conclusion that my brassica curse has struck again and my F1 Claret sprouting is doomed to never sprout? They look so healthy too.

*preps the neighbours rabbit for incoming leaves*

[Shadylane]

I would think that it has to sprout eventually. It's basically going to seed which it will want to do. Mine started sprouting very late this year. I'd leave it unless you need the space.

[Snadger]

You can get early varieties of PSB and also late varieties. Cropping time can also be influenced by the time of year you sow it and the part of the country you reside in.
My PSB is cropping well at the mo having taken out the large central head I am now harvesting the side shoots. Mine is an early variety (Rhudolf I think?)
Claret is a late PSB so deffo don't give up on it. A plant will usually try and set seed (sprout) to perpetuate the species.
You could be eating PSB when it is really expensive in the shops

[dominic10]

Never thought of growing this but it sounds ideal for us as we are so late starting having only had our allotment for a month now. Wondering how many plants for the two of us?

[Rabidbun]

Thanks both - will look and see if I can squeeze french beans and tomatillos around it and the garlic to keep it in there longer then. Will bear this in mind and order an early version next time methinks!

I have six plants dominic10 but only cause that many came in the order. I am not sure myself how much that will give us come cropping time - first time growing it for me so we will probably (eventually) be overrun!

[mrbadexample]

I've been eating my first home-grown PSB.

It's lovely - well worth the wait and a must again for next year.

But how do I best harvest it? Which bits do I pick first? I've picked the side shoots, but haven't taken the main stalk yet. Is there a method whereby you take the oldest shoots first and keep it making more?

[peanut]

I had my first serving of PSB tonight......it was fabulous.

[cptncrackoff]

One of my favourites, steamed but still crunchy!
growing not just for the taste but to avoid the horrendous prices supermarkets charge for a very small tray!

Mine were sown yesterday, Early PSB, although I might sow some more in a month or so.

[Alison]

Think we'll have our first meal off it next week (fingers crossed). Will be sowing the next lot in the next couple of weeks, it's a long growing crop but worth it.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I am a bit late with my Early Summer Purple this year it will be going down next week. I usually set seed late Feb early Mar this will then start to harvest early to mid Oct. Then I follow with a standard variety to harvest when the ESP has finnished.

I got the last of it last week removed the plants from their dustbins and followed with main crop spuds.

Potty

[bojangles]

Im so glad I didnt pull them up now!! They are now produce some nice heads to eat soon. Ive never had psp i love normal green broca. hope to eat some over the next week.

[SarzWix]

But how do I best harvest it? Which bits do I pick first? I've picked the side shoots, but haven't taken the main stalk yet. Is there a method whereby you take the oldest shoots first and keep it making more?

With broccoli and calabrese, you take the main shoot/head from the middle first, that then encourages the plant to make side-shoots and keep cropping If you leave any of the shoots, and especially the central one, for too long then it will go to seed

[mrbadexample]

With broccoli and calabrese, you take the main shoot/head from the middle first, that then encourages the plant to make side-shoots and keep cropping If you leave any of the shoots, and especially the central one, for too long then it will go to seed

Cheers Sarz, I'll have the middle ones out tomorrow.