Does Anyone Grow Perennial Broccoli?

I'm doing some preliminary thinking about this year's seed order and came across the fact there's perennial broccoli whilst having a look through my copy of The Vegetable Expert.

Has anyone tried it? Does it taste like the usual broccoli (particularly calabrese)? Hints, tips, is it worth it? And above all else, what's a good variety and where did you get it from?

Thanks for your help :)

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Damo on August 31, 2010 at 18:28

That sounds good, I like to have a try at it....if anyone can advise?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by maxine jones on September 1, 2010 at 8:39

Sounds great, I'd love to find out more too :)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by VP on September 1, 2010 at 8:52

Hi Maxine and Damo,

I've done a bit more research - the discussion boards are full of questions from people asking whether anyone's tried growing it but no-one owning up to growing it. The curds look more like cauliflower than broccoli and are more open in nature. There's seems to be just one variety available and it's classed as a heirloom variety. It grows to about 2.5-3ft and spacing should be 3ft. One seed company advises growing it next to a fence, otherwise cultivation is the same as other brassicas. How long they last seems to be a bit variable: 2-3 yrs is the most quoted but others suggest longer than this. On no account should any of the 8-15 small heads be allowed to set seed. The leaves are also edible, but not too many should be harvested else the heads won't form. Harvesting is April-June, so it's a useful 'hungry gap' crop.

Several well known companies sell the seeds for between £1.30 and £2.50 (didn't investigate postage rates), so it's worth a try?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by maxine jones on September 1, 2010 at 10:06

Thanks VP, 'plant up against a fence' makes me think I might struggle on such an open allotment! I'll hang back for now and see how you get on. Thanks for the advice though its on my future list!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by VP on September 1, 2010 at 10:10

Maxine - I'll be struggling with the plant against a fence advice too, particularly as I was asked to clear away the one bordering mine as the people in the house behind want to paint it! I'm going to go ahead and have a go anyway :)

maxine jones said:

Thanks VP, 'plant up against a fence' makes me think I might struggle on such an open allotment! I'll hang back for now and see how you get on. Thanks for the advice though its on my future list!