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Tenderstem broccoli

Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 6:01 pm
by vivienz
I just love this stuff and usually buy it each week, so it's definitely going on the 'to grow' list for next year.

Has anyone grown it, or is there any particular treatment for it that differs from the usual calabrese?

Another one for the 'to grow' list is romanesco - any advice on these also greatly appreciated.

Re: Tenderstem broccoli

Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 7:20 pm
by Monika
We love the stuff, too, vivienz. I grew tenderstem broccoli Inspiration (from DT Brown) for the first time last year and was very impressed. It matures in late summer/autumn and we harvested it for several months, having cut the central 'crown' like in calabrese. It was very tasty and certainly truly 'tenderstem'.
This year's early plants are already seedlings and will be planted out soon in the sheltered garden (under netting to protect them from our rogue house sparrows) and the main crop is sown and will be planted into our more exposed allotment in late May/June.

Re: Tenderstem broccoli

Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 8:28 pm
by vivienz
Thanks, Monika, good to know. There are many new varieties around since I was last on an allotment, so it's great to hear positive reports.

Re: Tenderstem broccoli

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 7:22 am
by Pawty
Hi,

Yes, love the stuff! On its own, in pasta, quiche and I've been known to put it on a pizza!

We've grown it with success, and the more you pick, the more it grows! Unfortunately something loved it even more than me this year and the young plants were all devoured. They were under netting and I I had put some slug pellets around them. I can only think it was mice, which were a problem last year.

I haven't started me seedlings off yet, but will do over the next couple of weeks.

Pawty

Re: Tenderstem broccoli

Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 12:39 pm
by vivienz
Excellent, thanks Pawty. Out of interest, when do you plant out your seedlings?

Re: Tenderstem broccoli

Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 6:31 pm
by Geoff
Hi-jacked by another Broccoli - Citadel - tomorrow's dinner sorted! Had Red Russian side shoots today and they were delicious.

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Re: Tenderstem broccoli

Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 7:50 pm
by vivienz
Mmm - tasty!

Re: Tenderstem broccoli

Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 1:51 pm
by Johnboy
Hi VivienZ,
I used to grow original Italian Calabrese and tenderstem is a superior for of this. With regards to the monstous tasteless plant the supermarkets sell as Calabrese it just shows what happens when the hybridisers get to work.
I do not seem to be alble to get the seed for Italian original calabrese any more but you would find it almost identical if you can.
It should be grown as you would grow Purple Spouting Boccoli which is my favourite of all the cabbage family.
On the other hand Romanesco has been decribed as heaven on a plate by some and by others as tasteless rubbish not worth growing.
With a delicate white sauce I have always thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a bit temperamental in it#s growing habit but well worth the effort
and again is grow as PSB.
JB.

Re: Tenderstem broccoli

Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 3:27 pm
by Geoff