Beginner Gardening: broccolli question, 3 by Gymgirl

Gymgirl wrote:
Idealpeggy,
I absolutely LOVE the Arcadia Broccoli I planted this season. It is a prolific, robust plant with gorgeous blud-green leaves. It will be on my top 5 list from now on. Yesterday evening, I harvested yet another (this makes the 4th) huge popcorn bowl of broccoli side shoots from the Arcadias.

Here's what I've learned that may help you:
Pic #1 I sowed my seeds on August 6 & 7, 2011
Pic #2 The seedlings on 9/8/2011
Pic #3 Is the Arcadia @ 83 days from sowing the seeds
Pic #4 is an Arcadia heading on 12/18/11, 134 days after sowing the seed
Pic #5 is the side shoots I've been harvesting since the head was clipped

I grew my Arcadia broccolis in the fall/winter, and observe that they truly prefer to grow into the cool/colder temps. They have withstood temps down to the low 30s (just overnight -- nothing sustained for days in a row....), with a minimum of protection (I threw a sheet of clear plastic over the hoop.

They stall and swoon when it gets too hot, or when they need watering. Our 65-70 sunshine has sent most of the plants bolting. However, I have about 5 that continue to put out side shoots. These are located in a more shady part of my yard, where the cool winds blow over them.

My planting calendar says I can start more broccoli now, but I hesitate to do so going into the heat of our summer. These plants need it to be consistently cool/cold during the daytime, sunshine or not!

Hope this helps with your decision to grow them. Please give them a try when your timing is right for your area: having your seedlings ready for plant out just before you go into your cool/cold season.

I'm sure others will come along and add to this discussion in a few minutes!

Hugs!

Linda