In article , shannie
writes

Hi Folks,
I planted some seeds in March in peat pots, they grew very well and planted
them in the ground where they are to grow in late May, by which time they
were very sturdy and about 5-7 leaves. They are all around 18" now and very
healthy, lots of lovely large green leaves, however, one has begun to sprout
the lovely purple stalk(?) from the tip and a few coming at the sides,
according to the seed packet they're not to be harvested until october
onwards....is it running to seed?

Sounds like it

if so is it because I've fed it too much
(nettle manure), watered it too much?

Probably a combination of warm spring and summer and not enough water
giving the plant a bit of stress and inducing the urge to procreate.
Everything in my garden is running very early this year - water lilies a
month early, lavender out in early June instead of August, ripe berries
on Amelenchier already, first loganberries ripe - and it's 10 years
since they were last ripe in June.

is there a way of stopping it by
picking out the tip, dig it up?

Why? Just be delighted you have an early crop!
Keep picking to prolong the flowering season.

....oh and would it be edible?.

Yes!






--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm