[brotherdeal]

Hi all, my first year of growing winter purple sprouting broccoli, i have just harvested some and it tastes very bitter! Is this the norm?

[BabbyAnn]

Although it is called winter purple sprouting broccoli, I think it is still usually harvested in March - perhaps overwintering make the sprouts less bitter?  Don't forget we also had quite a mild autumn which has confused a lot of plants and wildlife ... maybe this has affected the broccoli?

I have to confess that my one and only experience of sprouting broccoli was very disappointing (strangely enough, winter of 2006/2007 was on the mild side) but with so many people saying how nice it is, I've been meaning to give it another go.  So I'm probably not the best person for advice ...

[tosca100]

It is certainly confused this year, my spring sprouting broccoli is throwing out sprouts on some plants but not others. I suppose if it grows too slowly it may have a detrimental affect on flavour. I am hoping for some frost on mine to sweeten it up for Christmas dinner, to go with my leeks and carrots.......but there again I love sprouts!

Decisions, decisions.

[azubah]

My purple sprouting has been a disaster for the last 2 years due to the mild autumns. I sowed it very late, but it has still sprouted in November/December. It is bitter and covered in insects which don't wash off very easily.
When it behaves itself and sprouts in March it tastes much better and does not have the insects all over it. I am tempted to leave sowing until very late next year, perhaps as late as September.

[superluke2]

I don't get mine usually until march but a lot further north than you!! never a problem with flavour but it's guaranteed to get a good blast of frost here.