Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: tangojulie on February 04, 2015, 12:46
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Is anyone else still waiting for more than a couple of florets? I don't remember it ever being this late to get going.
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I am still waiting too. I have a note from last year for 28th Feb.PSB cropping very well. Depends where you are. At the moment it is very cold, so another fortnight would be about right. I have seen it in the shops but I don't where it came from. Very expensive too.
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Couple of florets? I wish - no sign at all at the moment. My mate on a nearby plot has been cropping for weeks! Grrrrrrr!
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I don't have any yet either, first time growing it so assumed it was me...
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None on mine either. But it's perishing cold here too. 25 cm of snow today and now the conditions are icy.
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I think, or is it hope, that I grew a late variety. I don't think that I starting cropping until late feb last year, but then I may just be deluding myself! Plants are looking very healthy, so something might appear soon. In the meantime I can recommend brukale, or flowering sprouts, much nicer than Brussels and cook in three minutes.
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first time for me too, glad this has come up as i've pretty much put them down to a waste of space.
what size is everyone else's psb? mine are like tree's. lol. i wasn't expecting them to get that big.
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my summer broccoli are still producing. my Psb never got going until march last year then went great guns till the end of april.
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Very little on mine.. my fault... late planting out :(
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I grew a mixed pack which should spread the season, but not ready yet- last year's Rudolph were cropping. The Romanesco is doing very well instead.
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I am growing 2 varieties of purple sprouters, Rudolph and traditional PSB. One plant of Rudolph decided to sprout about a month ago, the rest now has purple showing and look as though they will be cropping when we get the next mild spell. The traditional PSP is showing no sign yet, these usually crop March/April depending on season.
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first time for me too, glad this has come up as i've pretty much put them down to a waste of space.
what size is everyone else's psb? mine are like tree's. lol. i wasn't expecting them to get that big.
Show off! :lol: How many plants have you got?
Sounds like you could be in for a huge crop even if you only have a few. Time to start checking out recipes on here... To start you off:
There's a great Italian recipe for orecchiete with PSB and anchovies on the Beeb website that's simple but delicious:
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/orecchiette-anchovies-purple-sprouting-broccoli
And Carluccio has another where essentially you steam the PSB first. Fry a little bacon and garlic in a small amount of oil, chop the PSB very finely and add to the pan, add milk to cover and then leave to slowly reduce for 20 minutes or so. At the end, add parmesan to the mixture and stir into orecchiete. Sounds a bit ghastly, I know, but it is extremely good.
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Mine is Early Rudolph and has been cropping since before Christmas. Smug. Still going strong.
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I plant F1 claret and it never comes till next month.
Well worth the wait tho.
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Feeling a bit better now.... I'll just hang on in there!
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Mines a late variety too March and April.
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I find that PSB is quite contrary. Last year I picked my first PSB florets on 6 April, for what the packet describes as an early variety. I was then inundated with the stuff, despite the plants being not very tall.
This year, the plants from the same seed packet are about a third taller - I would say about 3'6". Still no sign of florets though. I will have to be patient.
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I have 2 plants right next to each other that have taken over my 4ft square raised bed. Currently, I have loads of florets developing on one of them (up to 2 inch long) and they are just starting to develop on the other plant. I'm willing them on to grow, as they're in the exact spot I want to place my greenhouse!
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You will just have to build your greenhouse round them. :D
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No sign of any florets on mine either, says February to May For harvesting in the packet. Wilko's early purple. Obviously not that early. Now fighting off the pigeons they sit on the bar over the top of the bed and peck at the tops... >:(
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I'm also still waiting. Checked last Saturday and nothing showing, but also looking a bit wind-battered. On the other hand, some Romanesco Natalino that I had pretty much given up on has a couple of heads developing, even though the harvest period is meant to be July to December.
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It all depends on the weather, each year will be different ;)
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Well I picked some before Christmas & again some today, actually quite a bag full today,but some of the stems were stringy, don't know why though, also picked some broccoli.
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Well I picked some before Christmas & again some today, actually quite a bag full today,but some of the stems were stringy, don't know why though, also picked some broccoli.
The stems on the first pickings are sometimes a bit stringy so you will have to just eat the tender tips. I think the reason for this may be that they have sat there in the cold weather and grown very slowly. As the weather warms the growth will become more rapid so that everything is young and tender.
My Rudolph are just starting to produce and the PSB are looking greener but no buds yet on them. Hopefully they will follow on as the Rudolph finish.
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Well I picked some before Christmas & again some today, actually quite a bag full today,but some of the stems were stringy, don't know why though, also picked some broccoli.
The stems on the first pickings are sometimes a bit stringy so you will have to just eat the tender tips. I think the reason for this may be that they have sat there in the cold weather and grown very slowly. As the weather warms the growth will become more rapid so that everything is young and tender.
My Rudolph are just starting to produce and the PSB are looking greener but no buds yet on them. Hopefully they will follow on as the Rudolph finish.
Thanks for that Salmo, I did wonder if it might be that, a couple were very long shoots which led me to believe they were ready to go. Not too tall plants either so still ok under my nets :)
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My psb started producing florets a month ago, but then everything was checked by the weather, so basically still waiting for the proper full harvest.
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:D Saw my first floret, just one today! Hurray!
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still waiting :)
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still waiting :)
Same, despite doing a 'hard stare' at it today.... maybe a few little sprigs showing :nowink:
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A few little sprigs for me too - just willing them to get big enough to eat now!
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nothing at all on my psb but my neighbour has loads on his and has been picking for a while now.
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I went down this afternoon- still nowt in the psb line but meanwhile I just love the romenesco, it's soooo pretty.
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The early PSB has just finished just waiting for the late :dry: which is ,well late ;)
marg
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Picked the first of my PSB yesterday - got about 10 spears off the one plant that seems to be ahead of the others. It was labelled up as summer sprouting but clearly got mixed up!
The other PSB are starting to do their thing but I reckon they're at least 4 weeks away from being pickable.
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Had a good look at mine today and they are no where near, not a floret in sight.
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No florets here either!! :unsure:
I'm quite surprised - the plants have been beautifully vigorous for so long. ???
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Woo hoo, two servings yesterday..... but no sign of anything much following on.
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One plant is just about showing a vaguely decent bunch of sproutlings! :D
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Nothing yet on my PSB. I want to plant potatoes there in April so will have to throw the plants. Don't think I will bother with them this year. My purple summer sprouting brocolli however has been producing for six months now with no end in sight, so I re commend them. PSB are a waste of space and time IMHO.
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same here, i really need to be getting on with jobs where they're growing and soon get spuds in.
has any of you more experienced growers of psb got any pictures of the whole plant so i can see what they're meant to look like? mine are like tree's that have fallen over and then recovered so the tops are growing up right at 90 degrees to the stem (hope this makes sense). if they were straight they would be 6ft tall and the stems are getting on 3 inch diameter, is this normal?
as it's been a pretty mild winter with good conditions year, would it not be better to plant earlier so they crop ealier?
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Nothing yet on my PSB. I want to plant potatoes there in April so will have to throw the plants. Don't think I will bother with them this year. My purple summer sprouting brocolli however has been producing for six months now with no end in sight, so I re commend them. PSB are a waste of space and time IMHO.
The usual time for PSB is late March/April. A very useful crop as there is little else in the brassica line then. Just leave your potatoes to continue sprouting until the PSB are finished, or change your plans a bit and find an alternative planting space for your potatoes.
In future perhaps plan so that PSB are followed by a late planted crop such as sweet corn, courgettes/squashes.
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My PSB is very late - planted early, too. Was eating it in Feb last year, but I reckon it's still at least a couple of weeks away this.
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My PSB today :)
The tallest plant is just under 5 ft.
The hoops are about 5'5'' as I can just about stand inside the netting.
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I've only just started harvesting mine and think that this is a little late. In previous years I've been taking it from January and last year from December.
Mine doesn't need to come out for a while thankfully. but it would be nice to have more of it given that my kale's been pigeon'd.
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My PSB today :)
The tallest plant is just under 5 ft.
The hoops are about 5'5'' as I can just about stand inside the netting.
they look similar to mine, a little tidier and not all over the place. the shoots on mine are no where near the size of yours, and my tops have been favoured by the pigeons (the only thing they seem to like).
think i may just have to throw them this year and see if i can do better next year.
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After every windy day/night I whip up the plot and recover the brassicas or I'd have none left! :D
I keep them covered from Day 1 ;)
This photo didn't work earlier - I hadn't resized it!! ::) :D
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Finally harvested the first of the PSB last night - it was lovely! First time I've eaten it. Got some seedlings of a summer variety sown at the moment, I was just wondering how many different varieties I'd need to sow and when for successional cropping?
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I too have finally harvested some. Typically it is now producing just as we are off on hols. Hope it will still be going when we get back!
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still no sign very healthy looking though
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Mines nearly finished although there's another plant that might be PSB, I'll have to scrabble around for the label, it's not produced anything yet
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Mine are also still rubbish. Stunted, with just one little broccoli bobble on top. I planted them in good time - really strong, healthy plants - fed them and generally took good care of them. Can't work out what went wrong. Big disappointment when you've waited so long for the harvest!
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well mine do say very late on the packet :D
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Mine are large, healthy, robust plants - the spears are a bit pathetic though! :lol:
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my plants look very big and healthy just late :lol:
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Cut a family sized portion today of stems, but very slow- still I can see lots forming....a bit of warm weather and they'll all go to flower really quickly I'll bet :wacko:
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Still no sign of sprout production on my plants yet. I live in hope.
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Mine are in full flow at last! Probably a month later than usual, but then isn't everything?
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there is a glimmer of hope that mine may produce now. they've got 2 weeks before really want to get spuds in where they are. i don't want to rip them out if they will produce, especially after all the time and space they used. but at the same time don't want to leave my spuds too late.
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Had a nice surprise this morning at the allotment - mine have started producing - I recall the previous time they started for me was around 2nd week of April, so pretty consistent.
This was while collecting my last crop of sprouts - so nice that one season ends and another begins :)
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just had my first meal of PSB and white sprouting as well :D and it was delicious but why oh why did I plant it smack in the middle of plot where it means I have to wait till it's finished before I can dig and replant.
Think I might be doing rotation the wrong way round as I remember waiting to put potatoes in but now I have some time as beans and things will be there. ::)
marg
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Apart from one plant which just about has one head ready to cut, the others still just have tiny knobbles... Oh dear! :)
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no sign yet still looking healthy though :)
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Knobbles seem to be growing fast now! :) Quite hopeful some will be cuttable by the end of the week!
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No sign either here but I'm growing a a new variety this year-F1 Claret which is meant to give thick spears. Maybe the thick spears take longer to develop. :wacko: :wacko:
Maybe this year I should grow a combination of varieties to hedge my bets!
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I think mine's just coming to an end now. Which is great as I want to prep the ground for sweetcorn. Definitely need to plant an early variety this year as there is no way we had enough of it.
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Picking ours now yummy.
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I gave a big bag full away yesterday,with this warm weather I thought it would flower before I had chance to eat it all,just been to pick more for my tea.
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Loads coming through now, pity OH doesn't much like it but he enjoyed quiche made with it for tea. Will have to think of more ways of cooking it!
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Cut loads today to stop it going over. Still tons more coming through... :wacko: finally
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Cut my first lot for tea tonight - sweet, buttery and scrumptious. Food of the gods! A long time coming, but looks like it's been worth the wait.
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Cut my first lot for tea tonight - sweet, buttery and scrumptious. Food of the gods! A long time coming, but looks like it's been worth the wait.
me too added a few br sp flowers to make enough for dinner
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Madame, what are br sp flowers? Broccoli sprouts? Was at the plot until dark and haven't been home long so still haven't eaten... Tonight I'm going to try some PSB leaves along with the spears... Think they'll be nice!
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brussel sprout flowers :)
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i think mine are a few days away from a first crop.
the pigeons are destroying the leaves now they've found them, will this affect the crop? i know i should put net over them but they've grown all over the place now and will be a real pain, forgive me for being lazy but can't really be bothered tbh.
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Hooray. Picked a load from the largest plant today. Smaller two plants a bit further behind.
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I had given up on mine due to it being eaten and pooped on by pigeons, but due to the netting coming loose and flapping about in the wind the pigeons must have taken fright and left it alone long enough for it to grow a little for me to get some today.
It was well netted, but grows so tall that it had nearly touched the netting and the pigeons were happy to sit on the netting to weigh it down.
I hate being outwitted by a bird-brain.
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Picked a whole bag full of the stuff today :D
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I had my first harvest today, made a tasty pasta bake with it....
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First pickings today :)
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I planted some in Sept/Oct they're very healthy looking, big green leaves, about 3' tall.
They're under netting in a fairly sheltered position against a south facing fence.
There is no sign at all of any florets.
They were bought as plugs from a "reputable source"
Should I give up now & just enjoy the "greens"
Br
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I usually enjoy the leaves whilst waiting for the sprouts. I like the taste this time of year, before the whitefly start to multiply.
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Perhaps I should try asking in a different way................. ::)
My PSB hasn't got any PSB on the plants..........should I give up? :mad:
Br :(
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If you love the stuff and can spare the space for a few weeks longer, then its worth maybe until the end of May? Are they well firmed in? Perhaps wack a few stakes in to see if they need the support (even though it is sheltered).
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Perhaps I should try asking in a different way................. ::)
My PSB hasn't got any PSB on the plants..........should I give up? :mad:
Br :(
No do not give up on it yet, it takes a long time to mature.
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Just as an update if anyone's interested.
My PSB still hasn't produced any florets. I contacted the supplier at the end of April, they said to give it another month.
They have now agreed to send some more plugs in September.
Can anyone suggest why after 9 months in the ground they have produced absolutely nothing.
They still look really healthy with big green leaves & now at least 4'6" tall.
Br
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I don't know why they haven't yet, but I bet they will eventually.
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It does seem strange. Maybe they could use a bit of P and K for the flowers rather than N for the leaves. But that's a totally wild guess, mind!
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Thanks, crh75, where abouts are you in Farnham? Do you have a lotty?....I'll wager you a pint in The Six Bells (http://www.jonrb.com/emoticons/beer.gif)
How long do I have to wait though (http://www.jonrb.com/emoticons/tumbleweed2.gif)
They have only had a little growmore & were planted in pretty poor soil that had been dug over with some well rotted manure last year. Which fertilizer with P & K would you recommend. I guess it might be too late for this "crop" but perhaps for the next try.
Thanks
Br
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Br, I'm not familiar with fertilisers in the UK. Someone else might be able to suggest something. At a pinch, you could even try some tomato feed, as I think that is balanced more to the P and K side than N.
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My main crop are all out now but I have one healthy plant in the garden not produced yet?!! I'm leaving it to see what happens
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Thanks, crh75, where abouts are you in Farnham? Do you have a lotty?....I'll wager you a pint in The Six Bells (http://www.jonrb.com/emoticons/beer.gif)
I live in Upper Hale but my allotment is the other side of Farnham on West Street. Where are you growing?
You're on for that wager!
Chris
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OK, that's it for the PSB....it's coming out tomorrow. I need the space.
I'm going to try & blanch as much as I can of the leaves & freeze.
All bets are off.........still up for a pint though crh75...... I'll mail you.
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sorry to but in on your post BR, was given some spare psb plants weeks ago, potted them on and had them in the ground last week. have they been done to early??
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sorry to but in on your post BR, was given some spare psb plants weeks ago, potted them on and had them in the ground last week. have they been done to early??
Any contribution is helpful mrsbean, these plants were planted as plugs in September 2014, as recommended by the supplier.
Eaten as "greens" they're delicious :D