Topic: PSB

[reddyreddy]

Hello, anyone know the best planting distance for purple sprouting broccoli? The packet says 24" which seems a gigantic gap!

[saddad]

They are gigantic plants. Put them in at that space but interplant with small cabbage like Minicole or lettuce which will be out before they need all that room...  :)

[Eristic]

If you are aiming for top quality 30" is nearer the mark, however they transplant with ease and to save space they are often planted out in nursery rows at about 9" spacing before moving later.

[Hector]

Eristic, what sort of time of year are you moving them?

[tonybloke]

plant them where your early souds have been
 ;)

[Eristic]

Mine are currently about 2" high in one of the boxes on the staging of the poly. Once they get too big for the boxes (about another week) I will have to find some space outside for their nursery quarters. I aim to move them again in August.

Ultimately, I only want 5 plants to keep me eating broccoli every night for the season and if push comes to shove, individual plants could be dotted all over the place but that does make covering with netting during the winter more trouble.

Due to the small number of plants required at harvest I grow with redundancy in mind and anything dragging its feet or losing a fight with a slug will be removed to give the best plants more space.

[Digeroo]

How do you prevent the caterpiillars eating them?

[Eristic]

I've not had much trouble with caterpillars and I think the key is daily observation. Nip them in the bud at egg stage.

[thifasmom]

How do you prevent the caterpiillars eating them?

i normally only grow about four to six plants but even i found it hard to stay on top of the squishing butterfly eggs last year they were so numerous, in the end i had to net against the butteflies. so this year i'm netting end of story :).

[cheerfulness]

What type of net will you use?
I bought some from the £1 shop (we're on a tight budget) but my husband had to rescue a thrush that was caught in it.
 Are there inexpensive fine nets to be found?

[thifasmom]

i use the 1/4"netting from wilkos its not stretchy so should be less likely to snare the birds, i plan to erect it on a frame or at the very least keep it taut by using bricks at the base.

[allaboutliverpool]

I only buy 1/4 inch mesh now as butterflies can get through the 1/2 inch!

[delboy]

scaffolding netting is my protection of choice.

[cheerfulness]

Shall have a scout round Wilkos and see what I can find. Thanks.  ;)

[Hector]

ok 24-30 inches between each other...what space do youall recommend between each row of plants
Thanks!

I have 4 by 8 beds.

[saddad]

I'd do 2' each way...  :)

[Hector]

Thank you :) With regards interplanting until thy mature...would lettuce, rocket, any other suggestions be ok?