Kitchen Garden Forum

I have 15 purple sprouting broccoli plants, all at slightly different stages as i did a bit of successive sowing and planting. The biggest are 18" tall and centre head is about the size of a small clementine, the side shoots are are only 1" long and their heads are about the size of small grape. Should i take out the centre heads now or still wait for a bit?

Also one or two of the plants have grown with 2 or 3 main stems, instead of one, they have the beginings of sprouts but are much smaller, will these reach maturity, or should i take out the weaker stems?

Some of the later planted plants are only 6-8" tall but are still showing small sprouts, will these all catch up?

How long should i expect each plant to keep cropping for?

Please tell me i'll have buckets of PSB for months ahead, my 18month old loves broccoli and currently is an expert at 'dunking' She is going to love these!!!

Cut the centre heads and the side shoots will develop very quickly. The more you harvest the more will grow.

Beryl.

Hello WishIwas
I agree with Beryl - cut the centre and the side shoots will develop quite quickly. The shoots are best picked young for the finest flavour.
You say that you have tried successive sowing with you broccoli. I've never found that this works too well - the best way to extend cropping is too grow several different varieties. If you look in any decent seed catalogue you will see quite a few varieties listed from early to late types. I grow four different varieties and this gives an extended cropping through the spring. They are sown and planted at the same time.
Also - a good variety to look out for, as you're really keen on broccoli, is 'Spike'. This is a summer type that will grow straight on to the picking stage without the need for a winter period so with this as well, you could have the stuff almost all year round!

You mention your later plants at only 6-8". This is very small at this stage of growth so don't expect too much from them.

John