Fall Brocolli in VA - am I too late to start?

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grahamian Shipman, VA Aug 22, 2010

Summer has gotten away from me, and I never started my broc seeds inside. The starter plants at my local garden center looked pretty bad, so I got a pack of seeds (80 days to maturity) and I'm wondering if it's too late. Do I still have time to start them inside? How soon before they're ready to go in the ground? Although, we're considered zone 6B, at my house, we have a later frost that the people just down the road (we're on a hill). So, I often still have roses blooming in November (sometimes even geraniums). What if I cover the broc with a row cover? Also, has anyone had success direct seeding at this point?

thanks for any advice!

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Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Aug 22, 2010

I grew up In Fluvanna county, just east of you,. I would strongly recommend that you go with quick maturing plants like Early Dividend or Packman at this point. Starting with seeds, it will be October before viable transplants. While broccoli is frost proof, it will not tolerate the ground freezing. Also the growth rate slows down greatly with short daylight hours. It would be a noble experiment, but don't get your hopes too high.

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grahamian Shipman, VA Aug 22, 2010

Thanks FarmerDill! I guess I won't bother unless I can find some nice transplants. Thanks for saving me the effort:)

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MaypopLaurel Cleveland,GA/Atlanta, GA(Zone 7b) Aug 22, 2010

I was surprised by the lack of veggie plants for Fall planting your way. Big box stores, in both country and city are loaded with Fall veggie options here. So are all the seed and feeds. DD is living in Maryland and has the same problem. Dill is right about the lateness. Even if you can get them up and going the shorter days really impacts growth. You also have to be extra diligent in the battle with worms, especially army worms.

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