Growing Broccoli

[SoupDragon]

DS2 is very keen on broccoli so I thought I'd plant some seeds with him and grow some ourselves. To make looking ater it easier, can I grow it in large pots? This means I can have it included in our automatic watering system on the patio and also watch it closely for slug/snail activity. DS2 will also be able to "look after it" better.

Brocoli gets very very big in my experience, you would need very large pots and to stake it to support it. Slugs aren't half as bad as cabbage fly infestation, btw.

Soupy, just had a word with dh (self-employed gardener) who said yes, you can grow broccoli in large pots about 10-12 inches deep. Make sure the pot has good drainage and also that your compost is rich in e.g. leaf mould.

Excellent. I have some 12 inch pots and a huge pile of compost at the end of my garden. I didn't know they would need staking though - must search out the bamboo canes I hid last year when they were used as swords/spears/other weapon.

Tempting as it is, I don't have the energy to create a proper vegetable patch for them. I expect DS2 to lose interest fairly quickly, hence the need to have them as maintenance free and close to the house as possible.

Thanks - I knew mumsnet would have the answer