FALL/WTR GARDEN HARVESTS 2011. POST YOUR PICTURES HERE!!!

yeahh they are cauliflowers ...
just small ones ... because those were under the larger ones ...
oh well better than notthing ... Still Snow Crown

I meant to ask you how those cauliflowers and broccolis were doing so close together. Early on I thought, "wow, she got a lot planted in that space". Would you plant as many together next time, or give them more space between the plants. Most of the recommendations I've read say at least 12-18" between them, because of the big leaves. Please let me know.

Thanks!

P.S. Have you put anything else in the spaces where the brocs and caulis were, or are you saving that space for your tomatoes? Did you sow your additional spinach and lettuce seeds yet?

Linda

yes I do plant very close everything ...weeeee
Broccoli no problem ... maybe Cauliflowers a little more open ... but I cannot complain because I have more food that I can eat always.

My broccoli are still on the grounds. Millions of side shoots right now, especially after I applied the "Worm tea" from TX ranch I bought at the Coppell Farmer's Market.
I am seeding today some lettuce where I had the cauliflowers .. so I will have lettuce untill the Okras will be planted.
So 95% of my fall veggie garden is there and in production.

My contractor should have already built me an extra 3"x19" bed ... but he has not started yet. weeeeeee

I gave my DH an area in the shade of my flower garden that notthing is growing (but he doesn't know it ... yet) to use for his pet ... and in exchange I had some room in his full sun area.

Anyway, half of my broccoli will go away as soon as the tomatoes are in the ground (maybe another month) ... the rest will stay there untill the peppers and eggplants will be ready to go out.

Today's harvest of broccoli side shoots, and one more crown. Arcadia Broccoli will have a permanent place in my veggie garden!

yummy !!

Two weeks ago I have use the "WORM WINE" from Texas Ranch.
The lady just brewed the day before and you have only 48 hours to use it.
OMG everything started to grow so well and so fast.
Cauliflowers started to make huge heads and the broccoli millions of side shoots.
Maybe it is the weather or ... maybe it is the wine.

I will buy another gallon of wine this saturday and try again.
She sells at the Coppell farmers market.

Here some broccoli shoots that I am harvesting every other day ...just like these

My last night dinner: cauliflowers and radishes ...

Linda, I read somewhere, or maybe saw on a youtube, that broccoli like to be planted a little closer together than broccoli. I think it encourages side shoots. If I find the source of that tip, I will post.

Meanwhile, finally found my camera uploader thingie (thingie is a technical term, right?) so here's a pic or two.

Broccoli first. This is from a nursery bought transplant, but I don't know (or at least remember) the variety. I picked it today, then cut an X in the top of the stem. I think I remember that's how to promote side shoots?

And here's a cauliflower that was very tasty! Finished it up for lunch today. One weird thing (weird to me, anyway), is that as some of the cauliflower got a bit overripe, the stems took on a pinkish look. I don't know if that's a feature of the variety I planted, or if it could possibly have to do with red/purple cabbage that is growing nearby. It didn't bother me -- kind of pretty, really!

This is what my bok choy is looking like these days. I'm amazed at how tall the flowers got (about 3 ft tall), but since I have nothing else in the backyard with flowers, I left them all and have been enjoying the many butterflies and bees that seem to just LOVE this plant. Who knew? (well, I didn't, anyway). I hear that the flowers are edible, but I'm happier eating broccoli and cauliflower and watching the butterflies.

And finally, here is a pic of the two garden boxes hubby made for me for my birthday in October. The bare spot in the one box has been planted with lettuce -- other things growing in that box are spinach, lettuce, a riw if cauliflower (planted late), romaine, and beets. In the far box are more late planted cauliflower, late planted broccoli, beets (which I'm excited about, never grew them before and they are lovely!) and Swiss chard.

Thanks for letting me share. I'm catching up!

Darn, forgot the pic. Will paste the description again and attach the photo this time!

And finally, here is a pic of the two garden boxes hubby made for me for my birthday in October. The bare spot in the one box has been planted with lettuce -- other things growing in that box are spinach, lettuce, a riw if cauliflower (planted late), romaine, and beets. In the far box are more late planted cauliflower, late planted broccoli, beets (which I'm excited about, never grew them before and they are lovely!) and Swiss chard.

Thanks for letting me share. I'm catching up!

Oh, also, in this pic you get another glimpse at those gangly yellow bok choy.

Girl, THOSE VEGGIES ARE BEAUTIFUL!

We have got to get together, LiseP, 'cuz we think too much alike.

LiseP,
Are you keeping track of your yield from your raised beds? I ask because I'm going from 38 buckets to two 4x8 raised beds, and am hoping to at least double my yield of veggies.

Glad to know I can plant broccoli closer together! According to the charts I've reviewed, I can start seeds NOW for more broccoli and leeks, too!

check out this site...the planting dates are a little off for me (later than I can actually begin, here), but the veggie list is invaluable!

http://sproutrobot.com/

Hugs!

LiseP beautiful broccoli and cauliflower and fantastic garden bed.
I am a "squeezer" ... garden girl Patti Moreno told me that if the soil is good you can plant closer ... and that's what I do.
http://www.gardengirltv.com/

Unfortunately, Linda, when it comes to keeping records, I am a mess. It's on my "I've got to get organized!" list of things to do.

Anyway, my yield wouldn't be a particularly good barometer, since I'm also not diligent about replanting where I've pulled things, interplanting or succession planting. In other words, your yield will likely be better. But I will say that the cauliflower I planted in the ground grew cauliflower twice the size of the one that I tried to grow in a bucket. I find it hard to keep up with the water/fert requirements of buckets and/or dealing with the soil temp -- although I keep trying. I grew only 2 in buckets. One, I had to harvest at softball size because it was starting to look "ricey." The other was planted later (ping pong sized now and still growing).

The broccoli in the photo was in a raised bed (older bed on the side of the yard) and it's definitely the biggest one I've ever grown. Wish I knew the variety! I have another just behind it in size. And they had plenty of room, because they were all by themselves after I pulled my tomatoes. Lots of room.

In the RB that's in the photo (the one further back in the photo), I have several just taking off now, grown from seed. I trust the variety ("Green Magic" - have done well with it in the past) so now I'm testing the tip of planting them closer -- we'll see! The largest head is only the size of ping pong ball right now. I really doubt if they'll get the size of that other one, though.

Drthor - thanks for your comments. Maybe I got that tip from Patti Moreno - I watch her sometimes. I guess the question is "HOW close?" lol. I may have gone too far.

Linda again -- I am LOVING that bolted bok choy. It rivals "butterfly bush," I think (not that I've ever grown that). Yes, HOLLER if you want to come to SA or are passing through. I'd love to have another opinion on what to do next in this back yard of mine and swap hints (and maybe seeds!). And -- kills me -- I'm actually going right through Houston next week, but we are on an airtight schedule and traveling with others, so unfortunately I can't come and ogle your new tomato seedlings, which I would love to do. When family stuff settles a bit, though, we'll have to make a plan.

Now I'm off to try out that sproutrobot site. I took a peek but haven't tried it yet.

Nice pics all. Hard to beat a nicely formed cauliflower head for a pic. Makes me hungry!

Here's a pic of the celery I just picked. First time growing them and they did well. I am pleased to say, not a bug or disease touched these plants. Didn't have to spray anything on them. Oddly enough, the peas next to them were infested with aphids and had mold problems.

That is some gorgeous celery! I don't think I've ever seen it as it's just been pulled out of the ground.
Maybe your peas acted as a trap plant? Or is celery by chance a crop that naturally has few insect issues? Just curious what you might attribute the difference to. Anyway, it's really nice looking stuff!

Thanks Lise! I had to try celery because I've heard it can be sorta difficult and fussy. Probably because of the high water requirements. But did very well crowded in self watering boxes. I'm thinking the peas were indeed a trap crop for them. Or maybe they just prefer peas over celery? Dunno.

Been munching celery most of the day. Time for celery and potato soup :)

Ray,
That is gorgeous! I'm on to a Hydroponics growing system that might lend itself to the celery's water needs. What season is best? Cool? Cold? Fall/wtr? Spring?

What can you pass on in the way of growing tips?

Like you, I like to take on the challenges!

Linda

I never known anybody that grew celery. How long did it take to grow? Did you start from seed?

Linda, My first time growing them and I didn't do anything except feed it often(5-5-5 and kelp) and water a lot. They were a pretty care free plant to grow. Not a single bug bite, not a leaf spot, not even a yellow leaf the entire season). Celery is cold weather only. Too warm and it will get tough.

Lisa, well now you do :) Actually, I don't know anybody that has grown it before either. I planted them out when they were extremely tiny in early Nov. Don't remember the exact date I started seeds but it had to be in early Sept. I would say it took almost 6 months from seed to harvest. They grew so slow in the beginning, but the last 2 months they really started to grow well.

I never ask this question before but does it taste better then store bought celery? Since it requirements for cold and damp will never let me grow it here.

Definitely more flavor! No question about it. Same celery flavor but more intense. Also seems to be more crisp and juicier. Not stringy like some store bought can be. All that is probably due to being fresh. Who knows how long the store has them sitting before they're bought.

1lisac I can grow Celery in my garden.
it just never gets big enough because I keep cutting it down to use for cokking.
I let it reseed by itself and it came back year after year.

http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/hg-44.pdf

Ray and 1Lisac,
Check out the link above. Then, see my instructions below. Then, look at the picture.

Hugs.

Linda

__________________________________________

Hello, all.

After carefully reviewing Hilo Sun's design, I've determined the simplest way for me to create this hydroponics system is to use a cheap styrofoam cooler with a lid.

In my case, I'll probably use a plain old Solo Cup, or a tall styrofoam cup with holes punched in the bottom and side walls about 1/3 of the way up, as my "net pot". Then, I'll drill corresponding holes in the lid for the cup to sit in, so that the rim catches on without allow the cup to fall through. If the lid placed with right side up doesn't allow the bottoms of the cup to touch the water, I'll try inverting the lid, or find longer cups. I already have a cheapie set of tall plastic cups from the $1 store that are about 8" tall with a rim that will hold. Those will reach.

Then, I'll fill the cooler with the water and fertilizer solution. Hilo Sun uses 1 Tbsp of water soluble 8-16-36 fertilizer, one tablespoon of water soluble Calcium Nitrate, and one teaspoon of Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts), per 5 gallon bucket. I ordered the recommended Hydroponic 10-8-22 Fertilizer from the vendor below, online. I'll only need to add the Epsom Salts to this fertilizer, as the rest is "complete." Either fertilizer is ok.

I paid $21.99 for a 5 lb. box of the 10-8-22, and $11.90 shipping, for a total of $34. But, at 1 Tbsp. per 5-gallon system, I can do 180 buckets! Or, if I refill the systems at the halfway transpiration? mark (after the plants have drained the system to halfway down...), that's still enough for 90 buckets! So, three of us are splitting the cost, and the fertilizer...

http://www.hydro-gardens.com
Hydro-Gardens
P.O. Box 25845
Colorado Springs, CO 80936-5845

Next, plant my seeds/seedling in the cup, and suspend into the water below, so that only about 1-2 of the bottom of the cup sit in the water. Finally, I'll tape my lid on around the seal with duct tape.

That's IT!!! Can you say, "EZ button?"

I'll use this hydroponics system next fall to grow celery!

Linda

This message was edited Jan 30, 2012 11:42 AM

All these procedures and techniques sound like they can get to be pretty labor intensive and time consuming. But I guess it's worth it all if you get bumper crops of luscious produce! As for me, I try to keep things as simple and low cost as possible. It is really interesting to read what some of you super ambitious souls will do for bragging rights ! LOL! I'm right there with you in spirit, but not necessarily in body!! Good luck to us all this growing season.

My dinner tonight.
Lots of veggies are starting to bolt ... just like some of these cauliflowers and broccoli romanesco ...

Still millions of broccoli shoots ...

My weekly harvest of Swiss Chard

My dinner tonight: roasted BRUSSELS SPROUTS and RADISHES , and steamed broccoli shoots

More KALE VATES today for dinner

My Valentine dinner were: steamed kales, sautee' broccoli shoots, kohlrabi fritters .. yummy ...

Still millions of broccoli shoots ... kind of tired ...

Here are the first Kohlrabi of the season ...

I forgot ... also some White Icycle radishes ...

Dinner tonight: last two cauliflowers and radishes for my DH.
For me a huge bowl of delish lettuce and arugula ... yummy ...

is anybody else harvesting?

Yeah. I'm still clipping beautiful broccoli shoots. And, I have cabbages and mustard greens still going strong.

And cauliflowers trying to decide if they wanna live...

Those new cabbage leaves grew after I cut off the main head. They'll do that for yah, if you sing to them!

Linda

Linda, your broccoli looks great. Your cauliflower looks like my last head. A little "ricey" -- do you know what causes that? My first heads (planted in the ground) did not do that, but the most recent one (in a pot) did. I'm thinking that the pot-grown one was just never destined to get as big as the bed ones, but maybe I kept waiting for it to get bigger and instead it just got over-ripe.

I'll have to check my purple cabbage. I cut the main head but the plant is still sitting there. But are they edible? tasty?

Good work, anyway!

Gymgirl pick your cauliflower. Now it is over ripe .. still good, but it might turn brown a little when you cook it.

I believe it's partly due to over-ripening, and partly due to the heaves in the weather. Hot one day, freezing the next.

LiseP,
The regrown cabbage is very edible as "baby" greens.

I tried the broccoli leaves, too, but they take a bit to tenderize. Also they have a sharp taste. But the Cauliflower leaves are fantastic!! So tender and sweet!

Linda

Thanks, ya'll.