N&C Midwest: October Happenings!

Scorpio Rising wrote:SR  -  Nice, LM!  I have never grown broccoli, but I love it.  How long does it take to mature? Does it taste exponentially better than store bought? 

LM  -  Best I can tell you is I am able to harvest it before the coldest central Ohio weather hits.  And the taste? I'd say it is as good as the best you've ever had from the store, to even better and fresher tasting.  That's why I have 29 heads of it.


SR  - Super excited to actually have garlic next year.  Should I plant it where I need access, or in the middle of the 4x4, or in the old window boxes?  Spacing?  Remind me!


LM  - Regarding planting, the middle of the box works fine for me since it will sit there from this Autumn to next June.  I've planted along the edge too, just have to be a little careful in my case with removing and returning the cage tops.  Even so a couple bent leaves doesn't seem to do terrible harm. Those could be bent and even torn in a few good windy, hail, or heavy rain storms too. With good healthy leaf growth I see no big deal. You can always protect a bed with a cage and a tarp ahead of time if needed.  
There is some disagreement with spacing the bulbs.  I put 4 to a square and am very happy with the results.

llama momma wrote:Scorpio R.  ( see above where I answered your questions) I should add that I do spray with bT for worms and I cover the plants with bridal tulle. In my case, those worms will really do a number on the plants without some help.  Mel recommends just picking off the worms, well I did that the first year and could not keep up with it.  bT is suppose to be a harmless bacterial killer, bacillus Thuringiensis (spelling?) but like Everything, I suppose there is controversy using it.  I figure, my broccoli, my rules. Still will always love Mel! My understanding is this is a naturally occurring bacteria so I insist on calling it organic.

Scorpio Rising wrote: Either the mache or corn salad are very vigorous! 

Robbomb116 wrote:

Scorpio Rising wrote: Either the mache or corn salad are very vigorous! 

? I was under the impression that mache and corn salad were different names for the same vegetable.  Am I confused?

Scorpio Rising wrote:Ha!  Now I see!  The one has bigger seeds than the other.....well!  Have you ever grown it, Rob?

landarch wrote:Indigo Cherry Drops taste good...larger than a typical cherry tomato...they rank very high in local taste tests, although it's hard to beat the black cherry tomatoes that have been coming on strong in the last month or so after months of nothing.

Robbomb116 wrote:

Scorpio Rising wrote:Ha!  Now I see!  The one has bigger seeds than the other.....well!  Have you ever grown it, Rob?

 Me? I've never grown anything until this fall.

landarch wrote:I don't really eat them directly...they get cut in half and into a pasta salad where they seem sweet and tangy.

My peppers were off this year...many stunted and mis-shapen...not the fat, blocky, thick-walled ones I grew last year that would sit perfectly on a tray when stuffed.