Purple Sprouting Broc

[peanut]

I have sown Early, Late and Summer Sprouting Brocolli in pots and wanted to ask how deep the roots will go?
I want to plant them into a raised bed which is on undug bare soil. Will the roots go down far enough to reach the firm soil below?

Thank you

[Snadger]

Depends how deep your raised beds are I suppose?

I think the roots will go down as far as the subsoil in search of nutrients and support. If they are pot grown plants they shouldn't have a taproot so I would hazzard a guess that PSB roots could go down 18" or more. They are big plants and require a big root system!

[Cutecumber]

PS Broccoli - the winter and spring varieties - are big. Very big.

When you plant, do not skimp on recommended spacing or you will find them contorting into very strange and unstable plants. I found that less is more - fewer plants given good space will produce a bountiful crop.

I have no doubt that it will root as deeply as it can go.

[peanut]

Thanks both, so do you think I'll be ok having them in raised beds as they can get into the earth?

[Cutecumber]

As Snadger asked - how deep is your raised bed?

And what is your soil like?

[queen of the cobs]

I had PSB on my plot last year and it was pretty tall (3 feet) so I was really surprised when I came to pull it up just how shallow the root system was. They seemed to go down for a few inches and then along. I found once they got quite tall, I had to stake them anyway as they weren't terribly secure - but maybe that's just the vagaries of my plot?!

How was it out in Orpington last night CC? Everything safe from frost?

[sewer rat]

The tap root may not develop as much in pot grown plants as it would in those that are sown in situ, but the plant will adopt it's root system to suit whatever it comes across. Most PSB's grow to about three ft or thereabouts and staking would probably be a good idea - same with pot grown sprouts - use a 4 ft cane, and tie plant about one third and two thirds of final height.