broccolli question

My first time growing broccolli and cut 5 nice heads for supper. My question is should I pull the plants and set new plants or is it worthwhile to leave them and wait for side shoots? If so is there a secret to getting nice side shoots?

I would keep the plants as the side shoots are sometimes about the size of the frozen broccoli. A quick fertilization after harves and the side shoots should increase in size. Hope this helps!

What type of plants do you have, flsusie? Also, do you have 5 broccoli plants, total? I don't have much experience with broccoli but last year I grew 6 pacman plants and I was pleased with the side-shoot production. As Bloomfly22 alluded to, the side-shoots are of course a bit small- perfect for stir-fry or salads or whatever you fancy.

I would say (if memory serves) that my 6 plants would produce enough to decorate a salad or include in a meal (as an ingredient) maybe once or twice a week. Good question. Its questions like this that inspire me to keep better records.

Personally, I would only pull a plant (or plants) if I had other broccoli plants that were ready to hit the ground running, so to speak. Maybe you can experiment and do a little of both?

is it too late to start broccolli? I'm in zone 10. someone sent me seeds. thought i'd try it out. is too late???? we don't get frost but once or twice down here, and weather doesn't get too cold

I'd try them now SOFLO....in the Refrigerator like GG does....

The variety I planted is pacman. 8 total in that bed and 8 more that are about 3 weeks behind them. From what I've heard it doesn't produce as well down here as it does further north so I'm really happy with what I got. In fact all of my cool season crops are doing exceptionally well after the worst spring and summer production I've ever had. Hopefully the same will hold true for all the rest of you that had a lousy season. Thanks for your input.

Okay, Okay. Just to clear the record, I'm NOT an expert on anything...

So. You cut the heads off of 5 individual broccoli plants... I agree with the recommendations to let them grow on, and see what you'll get in the way of side shoots. We have lots more winter ahead of us here in our Zone and could probably set more plants. Not so sure there's enough time to start from seeds, but, nothing beats a wish but a try!

Go for it!

I started seeds for these broccoli on August 6th. Most all of them just started heading 2 weeks ago, due to our extremely warm temps. Soon as the chill set in, things started popping all over the place. My veggies are currently staging a Winter Olympics! The broccoli are claiming the gold, and the cabbages have the silvers. Brussels sprouts are working hard for that bronze, and, since the late cauliflower transplants just got planted out this weekend, they were unable to enter the competition. But, looking for them to make a good showing down the line, too!

Hugs!

P.S. I've learned since my first winter crops, that, almost ALL of the green leaves of these plants can be eaten! So, those wonderful broccoli leaves you have? COOK THEM!!! Nothing goes to waste in a winter veggie garden!

Here's a heading broccoli in a night shot! Look at those leaves just waiting to be cooked!

You guy's are making my mouth water, I love the tender side shoots and go outside to pick them for stir fries, add the little shoots to mixed veg along with carrot, cauliflower etc, stir-fry is the favorite though. Good luck. WeeNel.

Have you cut the leaves yet? I would leave them on until you harvest the main head to keep the energy flowing towards a large head. I tested it to find that removing some of the leaves slows the growth of the head and can greatly reduce its mature size.

How long does it take for side shoots? I see tiny nubs on the stalks where the leaves are.

From what I learned the side shoots develop about 1-2 weeks after first harvest, and continue to produce for several weeks.

mr pappy g:

what do you mean, 'in the refridgerator like gg does'?

you mean germinate in fridge?

I used to grow broccoli throughout the winter when I lived in Palm Beach County.

The broccoli transplants I set here on Sept 6th have huge heads, and should be ready to cut any day. I think the cold weather has made them grow very slowly.

HoneybeeNC,

My broccoli transplants didn't take off until the weather started turning cold. They've grown really fast, and are just now slowing down. My largest head is approximately 4" diameter. They've slowed down a bit, but soon as I feed them, they'll take off, again!

Curious, though. My tallest Broccoli plant stands almost 3.5' tall, but hasn't shown signs of putting on a head at all. There are several half that height that have heads beginning.

Another observation: I see a marked difference in the growth rate of the broccoli planted in the taller 6.5 gallon pool chemical buckets vs. those planted in the standard 5 gallon buckets! I already know it's because the roots have more room.

"Oh, please, God, may I have ONE raised bed in place by February 15th?" "Amen..."

SoFlaCommercial, Yes I'll try anything...right now I'm trying to germinate Spinach, lettuce and Broccoli in the fridge....there was a Link on a thread, that suggested it, so I thought about it, over 38 degrees, constant temperature, just no Sunshine, I'll see if they germinate and transfer them to the Cold Box....for some sunlight.. we'll see.

MrPappyG,
Leave them in the fridge overnight, and take them out in the morning for light.

Gymgirl - these broccoli I'm growing are called "Goliath" - they already have large heads, and seem to be getting bigger. I usually grow "Bonanza", but sometimes they bolt too quickly.

Haven't decided which broccoli to grow next winter...

I was reading an article last night about setting winter veggie seeds in the fridge in order for them to germinate properly. They suggested leaving them in for two weeks, then planting them...hope this helps!

I have only one flat of spinach planted so far, and realized I should've planted it in a container at least 10"-12" deep, because spinach has as long taproot. So, back to the drawing board. I think I'll set the next batch of seeds in the fridge as suggested, while I find a proper planting vessel... Live and learn...

I love experiments...

Linda

Linda, do the seeds have to be damp? My garden room is as cold as a refrigerator during the winter!

HoneybeeNC,
If your room is so cold, I'd probably just go ahead and sow them. Can't remember where I saw it. What I read didn't say, but "cold" is the operative. I was perusing "Growing spinach indoors..." and it was tagged onto one of the sites I visited.

Broccoli is really worth growing. After the side shoots make their little heads and we use them I cut off the leaves and cook them, also make slaw out of the stems. Got that idea from seeing it in the grocery store. It's definitely a thrifty plant.
Bonnie

I checked my plants last night, again by lamplight, and my largest broccoli head is about as wide as my cupped hand. It's an Arcadia broccoli, which sets heads 5" or so.

HoneybeeNC,
If your not sure, why not try them all. You can see which broccoli does the best for you and which doesn't. Then take the winner or winners and grow them year after year. Its what I did with my radishes.

Congrats on your heading broccoli, Gymgirl. I'm still waiting -- nothing so far. I started from seeds and didn't start them indoors, so waited until the weather cooled (which took forever this year!). So mine are far behind. Enjoy some of that broccoli for me!

Thanks, LiseP!

I almost in a panic because it looks like all of the veggies will be ready to harvest in the next few weeks. I didn't do a very good job of "staggering" the plantings since this was my first time starting everything from seeds.

But, I've calculated I have approximately 90-100 days of cool/cold weather left before the heat sets in and stuff starts bolting, so I'm considering what seeds I can throw out there now. I never did get my root crops going, but not sure about seeding now, since the seedlings take so long to come up (last time, almost 30 days!)

I think I could do carrots, for sure. I might just go ahead and try for some of the 7 top turnips and the beets. I'm be more interested in the tops anyway, so even if they don't bulb in time, I'll be able to harvest leaves for sure.

Ok. Thanks for all ya'lls encouragement and most importantly, your input.

P.S. I've settled on my tomato seeds for next season. Sowing seeds on New Year's weekend for the following varieties: (go to the link below, so we don't hijack the BROCCOLI discussion).

Hugs,

Linda

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=8929861

Linda, I know we're supposed to stay on topic but I personally find these little veering offs very informative and many have sent me off in a new direction looking for more info on the subject and trying things that I probably wouldn't have otherwise. My parents and GP did everything from seed but because of time restraints I have gotten into the bad habit of buying from the big box stores but reading your comments and not having time issues so much anymore I think I'll be growing my own from now on. Thank You for sharing your techniques. Susie

Thanks, so much Susie!

The last two times I tried broccoli in my raised beds it was a flop. This year I had a little plowed grown that I had raised potatoes in, so I decided to try again. The six plants have done fantastic. I cut five heads as big a dinner plate. In a couple of weeks I cut a gallon of secondary heads and the other day I cut about three gallons off the plants. They are in the process of putting on some more smaller heads but I don't think they will amount to much. I've always been successful with everything I plant in raised beds except the broccoli. I haven't got a clue of why they are doing so much better in the ground.

Good going, Brother Jim!

I had to cut a head yesterday because it had started to flower. Our temps are all over the charts, mostly in the 60-75 degree daytime range, mostly with sunshine. The broccoli went to flower because of the heat...

The sweetest, most tender broccoli I ever ate! Arcadia variety, with lush, gorgeous blue-green leaves.

(I ate the sprouting one. The one in this pic is to show the scale of size.)

This message was edited Dec 19, 2011 11:55 AM

That is really a nice head of broccoli. You are right about the taste. Mine is so much better than what we buy there is no comparison.

Thanks, Brother Jim!

Gearing up to start the tomato seeds New Year's Weekend, and already feel like I'm behind!

Way to go Gymgirl. I have an 83 year old man in my church that raises 300 tomatoes every year. He asked what varieties I liked because he was ordering seed. He will furnish my plants this year. This guy is amazing. He plants a 100 lbs. of potatoes every year plus all the other veggies. He never advertises buy people have learned he has fresh produce and he sells everything he raises. In addition he has 20 or 30 older people that he keeps in squash, cukes and tomatoes.

Ya'll come join the "TOMATOES: WHAT ARE YOU GROWING IN 2012" discussion when you're ready. We're gearing up over there!

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1233186/

Nice Job GG...the refrig ... Spinach is sprouting.... Finally..

Broccoli update. I took this pic 5 days ago...Arcadia variety.

Wow, gorgeous. I'm jealous!

Then, I shouldn't show you that same broc today, right?

Ok. Bye.

Cut a gallon or so of secondary heads today. I have a bunch just forming. Looks broccoli is my best fall crop.

I cut our first winter grown broccoli yesterday. It measured eleven inches across. Unfortunately, it did not taste as good as it looked, but we ate it anyway.

Bee,
What variety was it that didn't taste good to you? I have two now that are about 9"-10" across, with no signs of going to flower just yet.