Purple sprouting ready?

James · Post by **James** » 27 Sep 2008, 18:22

Hi,

We got some purple sprouting from a friend at the start of the season (not sure if it is broccoli or purple sprouting, but guessing the latter).

One of the plants is flowering with the purple sprouting shoots, not sure the best time to harvest though - there does not look like there is that much to eat yet. but if the flowers are on too long do they go past best?

thanks for any tips!

Nellie · Post by **Nellie** » 27 Sep 2008, 18:54

Difficult question to answer really - it all depends on how you like to eat purple sprouting.

I use the main tops (just cut them off about 4" / 10cm long. If they burst into small flowers they've gone past it. Either way, just leave the plants in the ground, and they will sprout side shoots. These look just like the tops, but smaller, perhaps 2" long.

If you harvest from each plant regularly, you'll find they go on, and on, and on.

I love my purple sprouting like asparagus - lightly steamed, with butter and a grinding of sea salt, and eaten with fingers!

James · Post by **James** » 28 Sep 2008, 17:06

thanks - perfect help

a couple of the flowers look ready to open - that is dinner for tonight then!