How's everyones Brocolli?

[WNYresident]

My broccoli bolted last year. Don't have a clue what I did wrong. I might of not had it out early enough in the season. I'm using 50% of my old dirt with 50% of the Happy Frog soil.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/2488823462/" title="broccoli by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2488823462_0aca25d27a.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="broccoli" /></a>

I'll top these off to about an 1" from the top of the pot in a couple of weeks. It will give the stalk more support as the plant gets bigger.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/2488007387/" title="broccoli by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3001/2488007387_9b0b387601_b.jpg" width="683" height="1024" alt="broccoli" /></a>

Here is the actual baby photo of the largest of the broccolis.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/2418014774/" title="Seedlings by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/2418014774_fbee188ba9_b.jpg" width="683" height="1024" alt="Seedlings" /></a>

They did really well under the lights. Remember I have been bringing them out on the sunny days for a couple of weeks now.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/2455103562/" title="Seedlings by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2362/2455103562_f0d804a334.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Seedlings" /></a>

[WNYresident]

Make sure you PROTECT your plants from animals

One day you'll have this

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/2488167863/" title="Brocolli by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2159/2488167863_8d1c7bee01.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Brocolli" /></a>


The next day you could have this..

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/2488167621/" title="Brocolli by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2394/2488167621_4a343af032.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Brocolli" /></a>

[Yorku]

my broccoli were horrible last year as well.

my brussels sprouts were crappy too, but I think I overcrowded them.

I had TONS of okra last year though. I'm going to try them again this year, and if they turn out well, I'll probably mail order a more "exotic" type like cowhorn.

I planted peas a few weeks ago. They sprouted in five days.

[WNYresident]

June 2nd

They seem to be growing well. 100% sun... I'll start feeding these this weekend.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/2546650281/" title="potted plants by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2155/2546650281_ed96f73a11.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="potted plants" /></a>

[ChaneysGotaGun]

These white butterflies (moths actually) lay eggs on the underside of broccoli leaves. The eggs eventually turn into cabbage worms.


http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/01/LEgg%20Layer.jpg




...any loose netting over the plant should be enough to prevent the moths from landing.

[WNYresident]

Well apparently the broccoli is better than I thought. I'm down to two. The deer stripped them clean. They now have all been moved into a fenced in area instead of in front of the house. The deer ate the head of the broccoli so I tossed them. Good thing I had backup plants. I now planted some tomatoes into those pots.

[Surfing USA]

http://gardenplotter.com/rospo/blog/uploaded_images/RabbitBroccoliGroup-712025.jpg

[WNYresident]

I don't know what causes this:

They are starting to flower instead of staying like a head of brocolli.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/2605987989/" title="Broccoli by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/2605987989_8b2cbdf96e.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Broccoli" /></a>

This one on the other hand looks like it's gonna be a beast of a brocolli

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/2605988369/" title="Broccoli by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2605988369_3e42b80aa4.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Broccoli" /></a>

[ChaneysGotaGun]

I don't know what causes this:

They are starting to flower instead of staying like a head of brocolli.




It's called "bolting," and is caused by consistent temps over 75 degrees. Here are a couple of ways to deal with it:

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/vegetable/bolting-broccoli-growing-broccoli-in-hot-weather.htm

[ChaneysGotaGun]

Here's something else to try. Broccoflower. They actually crossed Broccoli with Cauliflower:

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/722542/2/istockphoto_722542_broccoflower.jpg

[Linda_D]

Broccoli is a disgusting veggie that I don't waste my time with. It ranks right up there with beets and turnips as among my most hated, but I will eat it under duress.

[WNYresident]

Well seeing there isn't really a use for bolted brocolli there was no reason to keep it.

Seeing my pot-o-beans seem to be doing well I'm going to use the brocolli pot and test out a pot of cucumbers. They are ready in about 60 days so there still enough summer to give it a shot. I just planted 9 seeds and will prune then down to the healthiest 4 out of the group. The rest will get transplated somewhere in the yard.