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Hello Broccoli

October 15th, 2015

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.
broccoli
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?

11 Comments to “Hello Broccoli”
  1. Greg on October 15, 2015 at 8:28 am

    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!

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  2. Lorna on October 15, 2015 at 8:46 am

    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!

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  3. Jaye Whitney on October 15, 2015 at 9:09 am

    SO beautiful Susy!! What type is that (sorry if you’ve mentioned and I missed it) and did you start from seed?

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  4. Tina on October 15, 2015 at 11:06 am

    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.

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  5. Julia at Home on 129 Acres on October 15, 2015 at 11:55 am

    I’ve never grown broccoli, but seeing your success may inspire me to try. I’ll echo all of the questions above.

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  6. Nebraska Dave on October 15, 2015 at 1:35 pm

    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.

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  7. laura on October 15, 2015 at 5:28 pm

    What variety? I’d love to try growing broccoli.
    blessings
    ~*~

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  8. Chris on October 15, 2015 at 7:15 pm

    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!

    Reply to Chris's comment

    • Susy on October 19, 2015 at 9:06 pm

      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.

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  9. Wendy on October 17, 2015 at 11:46 am

    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!

    Reply to Wendy's comment

    • Susy on October 19, 2015 at 9:05 pm

      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.

      Reply to Susy's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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