BROCCOLI A very British vegetable. Sturdy plants which produce numerous spears for harvesting from February to April. Once the central head has been removed this will encourage further smaller spears to be produced from the plant which can be cut as required and lightly steamed or boiled. Sow the seeds in April and May in a nursery bed 1cm deep with 25cm between rows. Thin the seedlings to 8 – 10cm apart. The plants should be about 10cm tall in June or July when they should be transplanted to the growing site 45cm apart all round and a little deeper than they were in the nursery bed. Start harvesting the following spring when the spears have formed but before the flowers start to open.