Kitchen Garden Forum

I have taken out (and eaten!) the central heads. Now the side sprouts look small. I have read they should be cut when they are 4 - 6 " long. Well, they are only 3" but there are several new tiny sprouts down the length of the side stems. Do i take the whole stem or should i just take the head of the sprout off?

Also should i be starting to take them from the top or the bottom of the plant?

Please help!

3 inches is ok, just take any shoots that are big enough to eat, if left too long flowers start to break out.

Hi there Wish (not sure about your nick but sure you will explain to us!!)

Take the biggest ones first whether or not they are big or small. You have to watch out for when the purple sprouting heads start to 'flower' or bolt they look normal but it appears that the middle of the flower is growing outwards and uptwards and may appear to have a lighter or whitish colour, I have eaten them at stage, but it is a clue that the harvest is over.

Compo