UK gardening - Broccoli :-(

Author

Broccoli :-(

Nick Maclaren

2007-10-24, 5:25 pm

This is exclusively spring-cropping purple ("early purple").

I have occasionally done well, but I had a lot of problems sowing
late, because the plants didn't get to a decent size before winter.
The last two years, I have sown earlier, and the damn plants have
headed in late autumn - with consequent taste, rot and caterpillar
problems. Anyway, I don't want large heads in autumn; I want small
shoots in spring.

I don't THINK that this is the variety, because I have tried three,
all of which were said to be early purple.

So, any hints?

Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Bob Hobden

2007-10-24, 5:25 pm

"Nick Maclaren" wrote
>
> This is exclusively spring-cropping purple ("early purple").
>
> I have occasionally done well, but I had a lot of problems sowing
> late, because the plants didn't get to a decent size before winter.
> The last two years, I have sown earlier, and the damn plants have
> headed in late autumn - with consequent taste, rot and caterpillar
> problems. Anyway, I don't want large heads in autumn; I want small
> shoots in spring.
>
> I don't THINK that this is the variety, because I have tried three,
> all of which were said to be early purple.
>
> So, any hints?
>
I think this may be the weather. Our spring Cauliflowers, Broccoli and
cabbages have all started cropping in the autumn for the last two years,
indeed I pulled up our spring broccoli two days ago as it had run to seed
there being too many other things to eat. Our spring cauliflower plants are
enormous now and I don't see them lasting until April before heading.
You are not alone.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
17mls W. of London.UK

Nick Maclaren

2007-10-25, 3:25 am

In article <5o9tm0Fltnm4U1@mid.individual.net>,
"Bob Hobden" <bobh@invalid.com> writes:
|>
|> I think this may be the weather. Our spring Cauliflowers, Broccoli and
|> cabbages have all started cropping in the autumn for the last two years,
|> indeed I pulled up our spring broccoli two days ago as it had run to seed
|> there being too many other things to eat. Our spring cauliflower plants are
|> enormous now and I don't see them lasting until April before heading.
|> You are not alone.

Thanks. That is my tentative hypothesis, too.

Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Robert \(Plymouth\)

2007-10-25, 3:25 am

"Bob Hobden" <bobh@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:5o9tm0Fltnm4U1@mid.individual.net...
>
> "Nick Maclaren" wrote
> I think this may be the weather. Our spring Cauliflowers, Broccoli and
> cabbages have all started cropping in the autumn for the last two years,
> indeed I pulled up our spring broccoli two days ago as it had run to seed
> there being too many other things to eat. Our spring cauliflower plants
> are enormous now and I don't see them lasting until April before heading.
> You are not alone.

I agree, it's the weather. This year I planted them later and they are
looking more like they should. Next year I am also trying the annual variety
from Kings Seeds, never knew it existed.

--
Rowdens Reservoir Allotments
Best Allotment Site in Plymouth
Plymouth In Bloom Gold Award 2007
www.rraa.moonfruit.com

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