Topic: Brocolli/calabrese question

[pjb]

Brocolli is one of the few veg's my whole family will eat, so this year I want to grow more and extend the season over a longer period, what types would you recomend to extend the picking season?
Is  autumn/winter/spring cropping possible?

Thanks in advance.

[manicscousers]

we grow calabrese all year, romanesco broccoli during summer and autumn and psb for when the others tail off..I like to grow it more than cauli 'cos cauli doesn't freeze well  :)

[saddad]

Try Purple Cape cauli for the early season ie now...
Purple on the plant green on cooking...  :)

[kt.]

Parthenon grows what is one of the largest headed calabrese available.  Harvesting in as little as 80 days.  Sow in succession throughout early spring for harvesting June-October.  They can also be sown September for an early spring crop of headed broccoli. 
http://www.kingsseeds.com/kolist/1/5/11009.htm

Marathon are sown June-July for harvesting October-early December.  This variety grows just as large. 
http://www.kingsseeds.com/kolist/1/4/11008.htm

Both varieties supposedly produce offshoots that you can harvest after cutting the head.  I usually just pull out the roots to make way for more crop.  I don't bother with the side shoots.

[PurpleHeather]

I always get a caterpillar hiding in mine. 

I soak in salty water.

Rinse under high force water pressure. 

But every year one caterpillar will only succumb to the cooking process.

I know it wont hurt me, but it still puts me off.

 

[Tee Gee]

I totally agree with KT up to the point where he says;

I usually just pull out the roots to make way for more crop.  I don't bother with the side shoots.

I grow Chevalier and Marathon although I gave Belstar a go last year and quite liked it. Giving it another go again this year (some seed left) to see if it a consistant grower.

Generally; I find that my varieties don't all head at the same time which helps to extend the season.

I find Chevalier heads about a couple of weeks before Marathon meaning that as I finish with Chevalier Marathon is ready.

Then when I have finished Marathon the side shoots on Chevalier are ready then a couple of weeks later the side shoots on Marathon are ready.

So it is not uncommon for me to be picking calabrese for two months or more.

So as I see it it is down to variety selection.

[growmore]

Tenderstem is a good one. It crops for quite a while.