[kibiza]

Hi, i'm new to the forum and allotmenteering. Got our allotment in Oct, lot's planted and doing well considering the soil is so sandy, only 2 mins walk from the beach. Was just wanting some advice about ps brocolli. Have planted them and they are doing really well, some almost a ft high. I've unfleeced them today as they were getting restricted and netted them, is that the best way to keep the pigeons out and also what do I do about the slugs, not really wanting to use pellets. i'm going to transplant them into a bigger bed which i'm hoping to do at the weekend, do they really need as much space as they recommend? and also can I use the bed that I used as there seed bed for brassicas next year, taking into account good crop rotation? Thanks Kirsty (Kibiza) 

[Yorkie]

Welcome to the site kibiza

I've moved your post across to Grow your own as it's about growing stuff 

Feel free to let us know a bit more about your plot etc if you want to back in the welcome forum 

Oh, and if you haven't already done so (can't see on this screen), might be worth editing your profile to insert your location, so we can tailor advice appropriately

[aelf]

Hiya
I don't like using pellets either but haven't found a better alternative yet! Except I have seen on the net that you can buy microscopic nematodes (in powder form) that you mix with water and water in. They are slug parasites and eat into the slugs. A sound eco way to limit slug numbers, but not cheap!

Aelf

[Yorkie]

I think the nematodes against slugs really only operate against underground slugs, so have little ongoing effect against surface slugs ...

Advanced Slug Killer pellets are approved for organic use if you prefer, but there are other options such as beer traps, leaving out grapefruit halves to collect them etc if you do not want to use pellets at all.  I'm sure there are further ideas if you use the search facility too 

[mumofstig]

Was just wanting some advice about ps brocolli. Have planted them and they are doing really well, some almost a ft high. ..........do they really need as much space as they recommend?

I'm sorry i Don't know the answer, but would like to know as well

[DD.]

PSB grow very large given the right conditions. I leave at least 30" between my plants.

[mumofstig]

Oh no where can i put them...oh dear!

[DD.]

You'd probably be OK with 24", but I wouldn't do any less.

[kibiza]

Thanks for all your advice and comments. Best I get transplanting at the weekend then and start eating Grapefruit and not drinking all the beer. Kirsty 

[Salmo]

PSB may require quite a lot of space but you only need about 4/5 plants to produce plenty of sprouts.They also grow about a metre tall.

[sunshineband]

I'm only just sowing mine -- is this much too late? I know they have a long growing period before cropping and I hope they'll catch up 

[DD.]

No, I don't think you're too late.

I held back with mine this year, if you sow/plant too early they are prone to bolting. I know.

As you say there's plenty of growing time, at least 5 months yet, then some come spring.

[LivvyW]

I gave my psb about 2ft spacing, and the best of the plants definitly needed the space.

I sowed my next year's crop a couple of weeks ago. Last year i started too early and some of them bolted.

I didn't end up with as many plants as planned, but we had plenty of yummy purple sprouts. Only gave up eating it a couple of weeks ago.

Fabulous vegetable.

[lisa80]

sorry if this sounds dumb but what does a psb that had bolted look like? would like to know what to look out for  thanx

[DD.]

Bright yellow flowers!