PSB need thinning - help!

[1Bee]

I've planted myself into a corner... I got carried away as all newbies do and put 8 x PSB into about enough space for 4. And now I can't decide whether to thin, how to thin, and how to choose the plants to thin!



Opinions please! I can't guarantee to do what you say, but it'll help my tortuous decision making process! Thank you.

[fishpond]

Thin that one, that one, that one and that one.
I know it sounds unlikely, but you will get more and a better quality from 4 plants than you will from 8 planted too close.

[PyreneesPlot]

Just do it, although I'm not sure Fishpond has chosen the right ones
My first year I thinned full grown courgette plants covered in fruit ...

[SusieG]

Morning! Good luck with your torturous decision ... Oh, the pleasure and the pain!
Sorry to be a dummy(!!!) what's PSB? Hope someone can help answer your question - I shall be awaiting the answer too ...
Your plot looks lush, by the way!

[Scoot]

PSB = Purple Sprouting Broccoli

[Scarlet]

I deleted the double post for you Susie. PSB, purple sprouting broccoli
I would also take out every other, if you try to dig out a good bit of root you may well save the plant.

[1Bee]

I wish the best plants weren't all next to each other.... sighs.

Shall I take out staggered ones? I was wondering whether to cut down from the base to avoid root disturbance of the survivors?

Thanks everyone.

[Scarlet]

Take them out like a draughts board. You can cut the ones down that you don't require. That will ensure the others aren't disturbed, it depends on how big the root growth is. How long have they been planted out.
X_X_
_X_X_

[1Bee]

I think towards end of May, but I'll check the calendar when I'm in. Thanks Scarlet.

[SusieG]

Of course PSB!!! Shan't forget that in a hurry!!!

[spamvindaloo]

Of course PSB!!! Shan't forget that in a hurry!!!

You're not the only one. When I first started reading this forum, I was struggling with all of the abbreviations the 'experienced' gardeners on here use - PSB, MPC, GC etc. Made no sense whatsoever to a newbie gardener and so I went to look for a glossary and couldn't find one.

The vine is full of wonderful friendly and helpful people but I did struggle to understand what on earth they were on about at some times I did find though that if you re-read the post that it is often obvious, or you can Google or you can just ask!

[1Bee]

I know what you mean, spam! I was stuck on MPC for ages, and when I read the thread on 'Smith Periods' I nearly had to be gently put to bed with a hot water bottle....

Google is usually my friend for that kind of thing, though.

[veggiechicken]

I've started a http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ses_86211.html to help you!

[bario1]

I moved some PSB plants that were about this size a couple of years back, and it didn't do them any harm. Just use a spade to cut down nice and deep around the roots and prise them out - shouldn't disturb the remaining ones too much. That is assuming you have space for the spares?

[vixylix]

I feel your pain! I HATE thinning out plants - and ended up with much smaller carrots than I wanted as they were jam packed together. I've learnt my lesson now and trying to avoid planting too close together in the first place to avoid pulling up healthy plants. I had to do it with a few tomato plants as they were far too close together and I was heart broken!