[heygrow]

My PSB is growing under enviromesh and is now pushing hard at the top as it is about 4.5 ft high. I noticed that there is some purple sprouts appearing and as it's my first year growing PSB I wondered if this was normal. I thought that it would not sprout until early next year. I planted them out end of May.

Edit: I don't want to take of the netting to investigate further because of the swarms of cabage whites.

[Goosegirl]

I'm not sure, but I'd try to insert some canes to raise the height of your mesh if you can because the cabbage whites will lay through it onto the leaves.

[heygrow]

Yes Thanks.
What about the broccoli sprouting already. Is this normal this early?

[mumofstig]

which variety of PSB are you growing? There are some varieties that can be harvested from now.

[heygrow]

Ah! I'm not sure as I got them as small plants from a local nursery and either they did not have a label or I did not keep it.

I did not know there were different harvesting types, so maybe I do have the earlier ones.

[Nobbie]

Ah! I'm not sure as I got them as small plants from a local nursery and either they did not have a label or I did not keep it.

I did not know there were different harvesting types, so maybe I do have the earlier ones.

Sounds like you may have summer PSB if it's sprouting already, in which case you want to start harvesting it. If it is then you won't get a crop next spring

[tosca100]

I have two summer varieties sprouting at the moment, though one has blind sprouts (curly leaves) the other has long thin sprouts with flat, narrow leaves and small flowers. The flat one is not as nice as the regular spring sprouting stuff, possibly because the spring stuff has cooler weather. I won't bother next year, I am happy with Tuscan kale for my occasional summer brassica fix.

[BussinSpain]

Over here, with successional sowing we can have PSB & WSB nearly all year round.  Delicious stuff.  Lightly steamed and then put into a dish covered with a cheesey sauce and baked until bubbly and brown - Yummy with garlic bread:)

[3759allen]

mine are the same, they're absolutely massive, i will have a look if there are sprouts today.

i can't remember if i got a summer variety now, pretty sure they were meant to be winter.

if they are summer ones is it too late to start some winter sprouting now for the winter?

[azubah]

It's probably too late, but if you have the space, seed, and time, it may be worth a try. The winters are milder so there is a chance of getting a crop in late spring.

[tosca100]

You might still be able to get plants in a garden centre.