sprouting broccoli - should I take the top sprouts off ?

[martinrphillips]

Dear all ,

I am growing some purple sprouting in veg beds and they have already started growing quite strongly at the tp and are showing signes of side shoots .

Does any one know if I should take the tops aoff at this stsge before the cold weather to encourage side sprouting ior is thais only done in the spring ?

I have read somewhere that taking off the tops encourages the side shoots and ifn fact if you do not do this then the side shhots will not come and the plant is also bitter . Just wondered if this tis the time to do it

Many thanks