Broccoli

Hi Pat
your broccoli has gone to seed unfortunately if you do not pick it when it is ready it will bolt and flower.
Sometimes it only forms very small heads once they are formed you have to cut them straight away.

Hi,
I,ve had a simular problem this year with some all year round colliflowers, they have bolted, is that the right term, I have since dug them up and started some new seeds off, am I wasting my time this late in the year.

Hi pat
As you will no doubt be aware by now is that from what I see in your picture it looks like sprouting broccoli to me. You should cut the shoots off including most of the stalk when they are quite young. Steamed for a few minutes in a drop of water they are scrummy with a leg of lamb some new tattys and the whole lot covered in gravy and thick onion sauce. I think what you were probably hoping to grow were calabrese which forms a large green head in the centre like a green cauliflower then after that is removed a few weeks later shoots will appear from the leaf joints which you use the same way as the sprouting broc

Hi Rodney
It can be quite a task to grow good cauliflowers The main thing you need is some good fertile soil as they are greedy feeders.As for wasting your time this late in the year it depends on your situation.At this time of year they want a bit of bottom heat to germinate After germination give them as much light as possible so that they don't grow stragly. Prick them out into 75mm pots of good quality compost.Keep them growing slowly in a frost free greenhouse or cold frame. When you water stand them in a tray and water from the bottom for a few minutes at a time. The secret is to keep them growing very slowly without a check. When it comes round to february give me a reminder and I will then tell you how to prepare the soil for planting out in March