Horisontal PSB

[cabbagepatchkid]

My plot is very exposed to winds and not realising this when I first got it, I've managed to plant a row of PSB at the exact part of the plot that the wind hits first. Great windbreak for the rest of the crops, not so good for the PSB which has slowly been pushed practically horizontal.

I'd kind of given up on it assuming that windrock is likely to do it in just like it would sprouts, but the PSB is still very much alive, huge and leafy and starting to put out leafy shoots from its "armpits". Do you experienced folk think it's likely to actually crop and therefore worth keeping through the winter? And if I'm keeping it going, should I stake it up? My gut feel is to stake it in its current position so it does not blow over any further (though a couple are literally about 10 degrees off horizontal) but not to lift it up because it had been blown over so slowly I think the roots have adjusted position accordingly.

[Snoop Puss]

If I were you, I'd do what you're thinking: staking it as it is. It sounds like it's healthy and is going to be productive. Definitely give it a chance, as it's trying to do its best.

[Penellype]

Definitely keep it - I have had PSB blown over that has cropped very well. I'd stake it as it is and leave it to do its thing.

[Jimny14]

I'd leave it as is too, mine did that last year and just basically acted like a layed hedge, all the upper buds broke and produced stems which we happily harvested. No idea if it reduced its crop but we still got enough.

[cabbagepatchkid]

Fantastic, thanks very much! Here's hoping for lots of PSB in a few months

[Jungle Jane]

Mine were laying all over the lawn like you can see in the photo but they cropped really well & the bees like the early pollen in Feb/March if you leave a bit to go to flower,I had these bees on mine & they nested right by my washing line,I used scissors to cut around the area & they always buzzed at me,never came out to attack me or anything just a little buzzing to let me know they're there.

[Bren In Pots]

I have to stake some of my PSB and sprouts the winds just to much for them.

[bario1]

Mine were leaning alarmingly and bulging out the netting on my brassica cage, so I've just been to the plot to stake them... it's almost impossible to stake the damn things without concreting in a washing line post or something! At 6' high they're hugely top heavy, I doubt even the metal fencing pins I've used will keep them up for long. Anyone know a good dwarf variety??