Fall Contest - Show us your Biggest Brassica, Broccoli!

FamilyGardening wrote:we have baby seedlings going now....planted them *i think* a couple of weeks ago....they are still small....how big are yours Boffer? ..right now LOL?...your seedlings....LOL....just wanted to see if mine are on track in growing to be able to enter the contest...

Don't forget, it doesn't cost anything to enter the contest! Size isn't important...I've been told! Little plants can make big heads and visa versa.

Looks like about 6-8 inches.

I'll play. I looked for two weeks for transplants at all the big box stores, and found nothing. After I gave up looking there they were... at Rural King.

I found transplants for broccoli, cauliflower, savoy cabbage and burpee's best cabbage. I put them out Sunday, Aug 20 and put on a row cover. I had a couple broccoli starts from seed, but they were started too late. My Broc is probably 5" tall so far...

If anyone is doing this for the first time, your new best friend is a natural bacteria spray called BT, brand name Thuricide. More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacillus_thuringiensis

Squat_Johnson wrote:I'll play. I looked for two weeks for transplants at all the big box stores, and found nothing. After I gave up looking there they were... at Rural King.

I found transplants for broccoli, cauliflower, savoy cabbage and burpee's best cabbage. I put them out Sunday, Aug 20 and put on a row cover. I had a couple broccoli starts from seed, but they were started too late. My Broc is probably 5" tall so far...

If anyone is doing this for the first time, your new best friend is a natural bacteria spray called BT, brand name Thuricide. More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacillus_thuringiensis

Thanks - I was wondering what the heck BT stood for. It's really needed no matter where you are? I've got a few broccoli transplants I picked up at a local nursery called Ferris Farms here in NJ (none of the big box stores here had anything either). So I'm sure I won't win, but I'll play along too!

Squaredeal, I don't know what long legged broccoli is but I imagine it is substantially taller than other varieties?


No, it refers to the earlier discussion about seeds started indoors and becoming "leggy". I use pieces of plastic straws as a collar around my babies to keep the cutworms away. I've already lost 3, but I'm nursing the others.

In this area, we have _many_ different types of moths that can smell broccoli and cabbage. They have very tiny green caterpillars that are very hungry.

If you ever see small white or yellow cabbage moths or butterflies, these are the ones that I see most of the time.
http://www.google.com/search?q=cabbage+butterfly

thanks for the pic's Boffer

my seedlings are still small sprouts.....i will look around and see if i can find some bigger ones at the store.....

i still want to play though....

hugs

rose.....off to baby her broc's and find some siblings

Welcome Squat Johnson, Moswell, and Rose!



This makes 12 of us, we are the Dirty Dozen hah! so far who are willing to share and compete. I would urge everyone to read up on info from this site on broccoli and also your local cooperative extension service and see if you can find any growing hints for your particular area. With all of our individual growing variables, as we help each other we are certainly helping ourselves. Good luck and let's grow some monsters!



I was able to pick up 12 broccoli transplants today, I am so happy. Plan to get them in Mel's mix right away. Also preparing the Bt and buying tulle tomorrow to minimize the bug battle.



LlamaMomma

I've driven by my favorite nursery a couple of times in the last week, but they don't appear to be open any more I'm going to give them a call tomorrow, as well as a couple other places, but I really don't know if I'll find any broccoli plants.

I did, however, get a park seed catalog today. You can order a 6 pack of broccoli for something like $13 but I figured that was too rich for my blood.

Oh no, 13 dollars for a six pack is about twice as much for what I paid for 12 transplants. Hmmmm

Well I'll be darn!!! I went to move 4 of my broccoli plants from four squares to the other end of the bed...Not long after I found the poor things swiveled up (dead). Such a sad morning. I still have a few more thriving (as long as I leave em' be) Not really positive on when I measure and how to measure. I never grown broccoli before. I'm going to place some new seeds in the other remaining squares-- so I'm in on the second round of this challenge if we have one. Hope they don't bolt b/c of the heat--not that I know what bolting means, but I read up on it. Pretty sure I don't want mine to bolt, but if they do, then I'd just plant more seeds as I grumble (lol).

Signs that broccoli is ready to harvest


Broccoli planting and harvesting is sometimes a bit tricky, but there are a few signs you can look for that will tell you if your broccoli is ready to be harvested.

Has a Head - The first sign as to when to harvest broccoli is the most obvious. You have to have the initial head. The head should be firm and tight.

Head Size - The broccoli head typically will get to be 4 to 7 inches wide when it is time to harvest broccoli. But do not go on size alone. Size is an indicator, but be sure to look at the other signs as well.

Floret Size – The size of the individual florets or flower buds are the most reliable indicator. When the florets on the outside edge of the head get to be the size of the head of a match, then you can start harvesting broccoli from that plant.

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Color - When looking for signs of when to pick broccoli, pay close attention to the color of the florets. They should be a deep green. If you see even a hint of yellow, the florets are starting to bloom or bolt. Harvest the broccoli immediately if this happens.

How to harvest broccoli


When your broccoli head is ready to harvest, use a sharp knife and cut the head of the broccoli off the plant. You should cut the broccoli head stem 5 inches or more below the head. Cut the head off with a swift cut. Try to avoid sawing at the stem as this could cause unnecessary damage to the plant and ruin your chances for side harvesting later.

After you have harvested the main head, you can continue to harvest the side shoots from the broccoli. These will grow like tiny heads to the side of where the main head was. By looking at the size of the florets, you can tell when these side shoots are ready for harvest. Simply cut them off as they become ready.

Now that you know how to harvest broccoli, you can cut the heads off your broccoli with confidence. Proper broccoli planting and harvesting can put this tasty and nutritious vegetable on your table straight out of your garden.



AprilakaCCIL ---I copied and pasted this brief article with you in mind and and for anyone else too! and it adresses bolting too. That is why I advised to measure diameter before the buds turn yellow as the color indicates it is about to bolt with flowers and be useless for eating. Hope this helps! There are lots of broccoli articles you can google over to. Perhaps ask your nearest nursery how long seedlings will take to mature in your zone7b. I straddle zone 5a and b.

Squat_Johnson wrote:In this area, we have _many_ different types of moths that can smell broccoli and cabbage. They have very tiny green caterpillars that are very hungry.

If you ever see small white or yellow cabbage moths or butterflies, these are the ones that I see most of the time.
http://www.google.com/search?q=cabbage+butterfly

Aha - yes, those little moths are familiar. Down to the store to buy some BT I will go!

Thank you llama momma for the brief article. Very helpful.

Here is the Broccoli this morning. The ones that were basically lying on the ground, after I moved them, are now standing up alive again! They did look dead to me -- LOL! I need to get rid of a few plants that are too many for one of the squares. I think there is three by mistake--when a square can only have one broccoli plant per square.

Your Wecome APRILAKACCIL, Re: the article above -



Thats funny you thought they were dead. Maybe rain/wind blew them over..

They look wonderful and happy and yes, gently lift and plant one per square. When they are mature you will look down and probably won't see any Mels Mix, it will be nearly all filled in with leaves and heads.

Remember if you want to battle with potential worms: cover with tulle (bridal veil) or floating row cover, and Bt, also marketed as DiPel. Another is ? well I forget at the moment.



I bought tulle this morning at 75 cents a sq yrd from JoAnnFabrics.

Well, looks like I can't play. I called around today and none of the nurseries (that are still open) have any veggie transplants. But I'm going to grow something from the brassica family, darn it! I found some seeds on Burpee for something called a Toy Choi! 5 inch tall Chinese cabbages that grow in 35-40 days when direct seeded

now that is determination, Littlesapphire!! You go girl!!!!

Ladies watch out for Boffer!

You are right Josh, he has 75 squares of broccoli contenders! But I honestly think any of us can win this thing. It should be interesting!



Llama Momma

april.....my brocs that i transplanted from seedlings i grew early this last spring....looked like they were dieing as well.....i almost pulled them up but decided to wait and see.....they looked awful for awhile....yet....they turned out wonderful!!....not sure why they looked so whimpy at first....as time went on...they got thicker and stronger.......we got between 6 to 8 inch heads on them!...and they were yummy!

hugs

rose

FamilyGardening wrote:april.....my brocs that i transplanted from seedlings i grew early this last spring....looked like they were dieing as well.....i almost pulled them up but decided to wait and see.....they looked awful for awhile....yet....they turned out wonderful!!....not sure why they looked so whimpy at first....as time went on...they got thicker and stronger.......we got between 6 to 8 inch heads on them!...and they were yummy!

hugs

rose

Now I'd say that's good to know right there!!! Wished I'd took pictures of how dead mine looked to compare to how they look now. I was so sure them broc's were a goner. Amazing how they just popped back up.

Quick Broccoli Facts





Broccoli

• Broccoli contains twice the vitamin C of an orange
  
• It has almost as much calcium as whole milk--and the calcium is better absorbed
  
• It contains selenium, a mineral that has been found to have anti-cancer and anti-viral properties
  
• Broccoli is a modest source of vitamin A and alpha-tocopherol vitamin E
  
• It also has antioxidant properties
  

Square Foot Gardeners, All of this, Right in our own backyards !

I would like to join this fun

I just planted six green magic and am ready to go.

And I can keep up to date with everything now that I am back on my regular second shift schedule

I look forward to seeing how big my Brassica will get

llama momma wrote:
I was able to pick up 12 broccoli transplants today, I am so happy. Plan to get them in Mel's mix right away. Also preparing the Bt and buying tulle tomorrow to minimize the bug battle.
LlamaMomma

you are one smart Mamma. I'm growing Purple sprouting broccoli this fall so unless your judging by hight that lets me out. I will be watching and enjoying the show.

Welcome WolfHeart - and good luck with your "Green Magic" broccs! I have heard of most of the other varieties. Your variety is new to me, I will be watching yours since I've been stuck on "Premium Crop" both Fall seasons.

Welcome also Shannon- your "Purple Sprouting Brocc" sounds interesting, I didn't know brocc came in that color. Thought only kale came in a purple variety.

I am excited for you and curious about the taste of purple brocc, have you tasted this before? Also, we are measuring the diameter of the mature heads before they bolt, so try to measure before any of the buds turn yellow.

Best wishes to both of you !!! I hope Everyone feels free to share pictures of their progress!

Well since you asked for pictures of our progress, here's my six broccoli plants. These were transplanted exactly four weeks ago. I'd be happy they were so large now, if I wasn't worried they are simply not going to fit. They are flopping all over the place and having no respect for their neighbor squares:





And actually I went back out there a few hours after taking the photos, and the plant on the bottom right had completely fallen over. Not sure what to do with it. I couldn't exactly mound dirt around it and firm it in place. Anybody else have this problem?