Ladyhawke1
Deeply Rooted
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- Aug 27, 2009
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Sometimes I am so dumb, maybe inexperienced is a better word. This year I am a little smarter or wiser.well ..maybe. :/
Last year I planted broccoli. It is called DiCiccio, and I think it is an Italian heirloom and or a type of raab. I just pulled the last one up a day or two ago. This was one of my smaller successes; however, I did not realize it until now.
When I got it, it came in a four-pak from one of our local valley nurseries. Who knew it would grow to the size of a redwood! I am so naive. I think that vegetables should be the size of what you put on your plate.
Anyway, these plants got so big that I pulled three of them up late last year. What I did not realize is that they were still producing what they were supposed to. However, they were over shadowing my cukes and squashes.
The bugs never really bothered my broccoli. They were producing dozens and dozens of tiny succulent, tender little heads of broccoli. I would pick them and within a few days, more would appear. This plant was so prolific that I could even pull the leaves off and give them to the chickens. The yard right now is a little void of green stuff and pasture, so the chickies really appreciated it.
These little heads were great in salads, sandwiches and thrown into the soup pot, or quickly stir fried in garlic and peanut or olive oil. I even gave some to my friends in baggies. No real point here but to say that patience is a virtue, and that I think I need to be more patient. I am going to try to get this type again.
Does this mean I have to build even more raised beds? It never stops.the wanting of more space to plant. :weight
Last year I planted broccoli. It is called DiCiccio, and I think it is an Italian heirloom and or a type of raab. I just pulled the last one up a day or two ago. This was one of my smaller successes; however, I did not realize it until now.
When I got it, it came in a four-pak from one of our local valley nurseries. Who knew it would grow to the size of a redwood! I am so naive. I think that vegetables should be the size of what you put on your plate.
Anyway, these plants got so big that I pulled three of them up late last year. What I did not realize is that they were still producing what they were supposed to. However, they were over shadowing my cukes and squashes.
The bugs never really bothered my broccoli. They were producing dozens and dozens of tiny succulent, tender little heads of broccoli. I would pick them and within a few days, more would appear. This plant was so prolific that I could even pull the leaves off and give them to the chickens. The yard right now is a little void of green stuff and pasture, so the chickies really appreciated it.
These little heads were great in salads, sandwiches and thrown into the soup pot, or quickly stir fried in garlic and peanut or olive oil. I even gave some to my friends in baggies. No real point here but to say that patience is a virtue, and that I think I need to be more patient. I am going to try to get this type again.
Does this mean I have to build even more raised beds? It never stops.the wanting of more space to plant.
:weight
The poor plants had leaves full of holes all summer, and by the time the broccoli heads appeared, we didn't have the heart to pick them, so they flowered and the white cabbage butterflies were in absolute heaven, slurping up the nectar! They looked like this ---> 
It was quite a learning experience, and this year, I plan to plant much more in several locations, so that maybe I'll actually get some to eat! 
I quickly took it out to the chickens. Their reaction was, how nicemoms putting mayonnaise on the treats now. 
