Jennifer getting nice sized floret from one of our broccoli plants. Photo by J&J
We have tried, more than once, to grow broccoli here at J&J Acres. And we have succeeded in growing it, to be sure! Harvesting it and eating it, not so much…
In past years we’ve had the same struggles many others have – army worms eat them up, or we leave it out too long and it blooms. Either way, we never got to eat the broccoli, which is perhaps Jennifer’s favorite vegetable, so it has been a real let down.
The broccoli harvest just keeps coming! Photo by J&J
Growing Broccoli Successfully
This year we planted our broccoli in our GreenStalk Vertical Tower Garden. Having the broccoli right there on the back deck were we can monitor it’s health and keep it easily watered and fertilized really seemed to help.
By the way, if you need a new pair of pruning shears, I have to recommend these Felco Pruners – they are my favorite!
Extending a Growing Season
Broccoli is supposed to be cold hearty, but rather than risk it we would still cover the garden with 6mil plastic when a hard frost was expected. Since we did that we’ll never know if the broccoli would have done just fine without it, but what I can say is that the broccoli did live, so hey, perhaps it was worth the extra effort even if it wasn’t necessary.
A 2nd floret growing from a stalk that had it’s main blossom already harvested. Photo by J&J
Plants that Regrow more Food!
Did you know you can get a second harvest with broccoli? You might already know that the stems and leaves are edible as well, but what I really like is that the plant will put out more florets for as long as it can!
The florets are flower heads, after all, and if you cut one off the plant will soon start making another one. It will likely not be as big or as uniform, but it is the plants attempt to make more flowers so it can still be pollinated and make more seeds. This natural reaction gives us a 2nd harvest!
So how successful have you been with broccoli? For us it seems to be a very particular plant – things have to be just right for it to grow and grow well. But perhaps for you it’s as simple as dropping the seeds and harvesting it a few month later. If that is true, then rest assured that we are jealous!
We later steamed this broccoli florets for our supper and they were SO good! Photo by J&J
We’d love to share our 2nd harvest with you as well, so be sure to Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to make sure you catch it!
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