calabrese?

[red]

hwo do you know when its ready to pick? it looks like calabrese (brocolli) but nothing like as big as in the shops - is that cos my plants are manky or should I wait longer?

[Jandra]

Hi Red,

Did you eat your broccoli yet? Just saw your post and figured I'd write a belated reply.

Last year I had broccoli too and it didn't get heads as big as in the supermarket as well. If it starts flowering you're too late. So I just cut them when the buds looked ... well ... edible and ate them. Tasted fine.
I've heard that when
you cut they come again with new buds. No big fan of broccoli myself and hey had lots of cabbage white fly, too, so didn't grow them again this year.

Regards, Jandra

[red]

I cut them - they were delicious

and some of the plants that were later had bigger shop size heads.. so that was cool (himself said they did not look right without cling film on them)

I think it has rained too much for the white fly

[Jandra]

Too much rain for cabbage white fly... Now here's another advantage of the rain surplus we've been getting. I collect them (advantages, that is), or my temper will suffer. Lot's of veg aren't going as well as I'd hoped.

Anyhow, I'm glad you had a lovely meal out of your calabrese. Personally I like them better without the cling film :-)

Best regards,
Jandra

[red]

Personally I like them better without the cling film :-)

yes me too!