Broccoli Growers Advice

[redkneck]

So I planted some lettuce and broccoli this year for the first time. Lettuce turned out great after we finally got some warmer days. Broccoli tops (florettes?) are getting the size of tennis balls. Question is: Do you just cut the top off and that's it? Or...... do the little florettes that appear to be formed at each branch come out after you cut the top one off?

[Tominator]

You will only get one major head off each plant. Cut them before the florets start to seperate. You'll want to pick the head before the florets get a little cross on them. If you can see a little cross, that means it's about to open up into a flower.

Sometimes you'll get little florets off to the side of the major head after you pick it, so if you have enough plants, you can pick all those individual florets and have a decent meal.

[redkneck]

Makes sense. Thanks Chris.

[Tominator]

My pleasure.

[redkneck]

Well, I was looking yesterday and did notice one or two of the little buds that had opened up. I don't know if I should go ahead and cut them or not. No biggie, heck I only planted nine plants just to play with as an early experiment. I see some videos on youtube of folks growing heads that are about 6 inches across. Oh well, I guess I'll know by the end of the week.

[Tominator]

If they've flowered, you're too late, that stuff will probably be kind of bitter.

I'd guess your climate is a bit too warm for brassicas, but don't really know.

[redkneck]

I don't know anything about brassica. We can grow cabbage, mustard, turnips etc fine. My buddy's dad grew some beautiful broccoli last year in the fall. I may have overdid it with the fertilizer last week trying to get it matured and out of the way in my bed.

[Tominator]

I don't know anything about brassica. We can grow cabbage, mustard, turnips etc fine..

LOL--All those you just listed are brassicas.

My buddy's dad grew some beautiful broccoli last year in the fall.

There's the key right there. Broccoli is a cool weather crop. It tends to bolt when the weather gets too warm. It tends to get bitter too.

Sometimes I'll plant that in August and it's about perfect come October, especially if we get a frost, and if I can keep the cabbage worms off of the plants.

[redkneck]

LOL--All those you just listed are brassicas.

Then speak English next time

There's the key right there. Broccoli is a cool weather crop. It tends to bolt when the weather gets too warm. It tends to get bitter too.

I see what you mean by "bolting". I knew it wasn't as tolerant of heat, so I planted it back earlier like I would have potatoes or English peas. I think I'll try again in the fall when I plant some greens, I believe I'll fair better with the heads maturing in the fall as the weather turns cooler, although we haven't had a day above 90 yet, and only a very few days that have hit the mid 80's.

FWIW.... down here it's "GREENS"... Not "Brassicas".... I asked my boss what they were to gauge his reaction (he once managed a feed store) and he looked at me like I was crazy.

[Tominator]

Then speak English next time

Sorry. Somestimes ma book learnin' gets in the way of communimacations.

Wait until June, thens I start talkin' cucubrits. :eat: