June 22, 2012 - The Biggest Yet!


In the past few years, my broccoli hasn't been anything to write home about.  Oh sure, it's been good to eat, but the heads have been so small, they were more like side shoots.  Not this year.  We'll be eating this big baby for dinner tonight, and there are a few more in the garden that are nearly this large!


30 comments:

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    1. Mrs. P., it was a real wow for me! I looked at last year's first broccoli harvest, and it looks like it took about 5 heads to get the same amount of weight!

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  2. It's funny. We both wrote about how poorly broccoli produces and this year we are both getting big heads. Now I still need a lot of side shoots to get close to something like peas or carrots or peas, but still at least they are producing something.

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    1. Daphne, I purchased a packet of mixed hybrid seeds. It looks like some are good performers, but I don't know what they are! Like I was telling Mrs. P., last year it took 5 heads from 5 plants to get that same half pound that this one weighed. I have eight plants this year, and now I think I might plant more for fall harvest!

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  3. Looking Good Granny! I've gotten some real nice heads of broccoli today too! Looks like we are making up for last year!

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    1. Robin, it sure looks like it! I don't think I'm going to get any giants, but if they're all in the 6-8" range I'll be happy. Beats last year's 2-3" heads.

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  4. I'm getting good production out the broccoli startsI purchased. Really need to not leave the country when all the seedlings are in pots and need misting. Everything died.

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    1. David, that's too bad about your seedlings. Too bad we aren't neighbors, huh? I don't have anyone to care for my seedlings if I leave, either.

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  5. That's great news. I am planning broccoli for the fall garden. Congratulations on larger than previous harvests.

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    1. Thanks, Cristy. I'm planning on trying fall broccoli too, for the first time. Having not had great success with larger heads in the past, I've just never bothered with a second planting.

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  6. Wow! That is very impressive. Must be all the hard work that went into the new gardens.

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    1. Rachel, we'll chalk it up to hard work, but I'd venture a guess it's because it's a hybrid variety ;-)

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  7. Wonderful news indeed! Enjoy! And don't think about poor old Sue missing out. Yep. Don't worry at all!
    Sigh.

    But seriously--YAY!
    Butter.......or cheese?

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    1. Sue, steamed then lightly sauteed in real butter and fresh garlic. With fresh snipped dill & parsley marinated wild salmon, and baked freshly dug russet potatoes with light sour cream. Mr. Granny hates broccoli, so I'll save his portion for you ;-)

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  8. Looks wonderful! I can't wait until fall so I can plant more broccoli and greens

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    1. Jenny, I'll have an onion bed cleared out soon. Good spot for some fall broccoli!

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  9. Holy giant broccoli Batman! Way to go Granny!

    Side note, who hates broccoli? Gosh I don't think there is a vegetable I DON'T like and so far I have only found one fruit I don't like (Papaya, yuck).

    Yummy yummy!

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    1. 1st. Man, I've run across a few I don't like (arugula, anyone?), but I must say Mr. Granny ate his broccoli tonight and ended the meal with two words...."Good dinner".

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    2. Ah. Mr.Granny is humorous in his simplicity. :)

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  10. Whoa! And I don't see any worms either LOL!

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    1. Nope, Erin, not a single worm. I didn't have any last year or the year before, either. I did see a little white butterfly at the cabbage today though, so I'll be watching. I can remember, years ago, soaking my broccoli in salt water to get the little green worms out.

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  11. Most impressive, Granny! You did good. Real good. ;)

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  12. A+ in broccoli growing science!

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  13. Fabulous! My broccoli only had 4" heads. I wonder if there's some trick we haven't yet discovered to getting them bigger without losing them to flowering?

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    1. Anywhere, I think I check mine at least twice a day just watching for them to begin flowering. I was slightly disappointed with this first one, as the head wasn't as tight as I like them. I think it's the variety, as another one (probably the next one cut) looks the same. It was good, but not as sweet tasting as the Calabrese I planted last year. Unfortunately, Calabrese took up too much space for the amount it produced.

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