Hello Broccoli
My fall broccoli is turning out to be the best broccoli I’ve ever grown. I’m AMAZED at the beautiful heads, the size of them and the lushness of the plants. There hasn’t been a cabbage worm in sight either, though the turkeys have been sneaking out and nipping the broccoli leaves.
One of the best things about growing broccoli in the fall is that it doesn’t bolt. This head of broccoli has been standing in the garden for two weeks now. I’d rather leave them on the plant to keep nutrients in tact. It looks as if I’ll be eating a lot of broccoli this fall, what a wonderful way to extend the season when other vegetables are waning!
Have you ever grown broccoli as a fall crop?
Filed under Around the Garden, Edible | Comments (11)
This looks amazing, Susy! Nice work. Is this a different variety of broccoli (“fall broccoli”) or just planted later? Definitely trying this in our garden next fall!
to Greg's comment
Looks delicious! I’ve tried to grow fall cabbages and broccoli but must be getting either the variety or the timing wrong; the cabbages are small and the broccoli won’t head-up! I’m a zone 5a/b (central MA), so I think it might be similar to you-could you share the variety you grew and when you sowed the seeds (or transplanted)? Thanks!
to Lorna's comment
SO beautiful Susy!! What type is that (sorry if you’ve mentioned and I missed it) and did you start from seed?
to Jaye Whitney's comment
Yes! I’d love to know when you planted and what variety this is as well. I am in the 5b growing zone, and I’ve never had luck growing broccoli planted in the spring. I must try a fall planting next year.
to Tina's comment
I’ve never grown broccoli, but seeing your success may inspire me to try. I’ll echo all of the questions above.
to Julia at Home on 129 Acres's comment
Susy, please share a little more information about growing fall broccoli. When did you start the seeds and when did you plant them outside. I’ve always planted broccoli in the spring and had super small florets but huge plants. I really should do more fall planting. I did try it once and it did work well but haven’t tried it since. What’s up with that?
Have a great broccoli harvesting day.
to Nebraska Dave's comment
What variety? I’d love to try growing broccoli.
blessings
~*~
to laura's comment
Could be the turkeys are also be picking off the worms along with the leaves. Who needs leaves anyway…Let the turkeys roam! :)
Yes, fall broccoli is the best!
to Chris's comment
My guinea fowl do a great job eating the cabbage worms. I actually don’t have too many here because there’s a little song bird that gobbles them up.
to Susy's comment
I’m going to add my voice to those wanting to know more about what type of broccoli you planted. I didn’t grow broccoli this year, but in the past, my heads have been on the smaller side (probably partially due to the type of broccoli). I’m really curious about what you think about why you aren’t having to deal with cabbage worms–what do you attribute it to? I’m sick of dealing with the little beasties as I can’t grow any brassicas without them totally destroying everything!
to Wendy's comment
Have you tried using a floating row cover over them at planting? Friends who have lots of trouble with them have had success with the thin remay. Also using wren houses in the garden to attract them, they are wonderful for gobbling up the little critters.
to Susy's comment