Gardeners - when to harvest brocolli?

[Shannon]

This year I am growing blueberries, strawberries, basil, cucumbers, cilantro, pumpkins, corn, bell peppers, beans, peas, zucchini, tomatos, carrots, and squash. I've never attempted the corn and brocolli before. My question is, how do you know when the brocolli is ready? I called my mom, but she has never grown it before. I also did a google search, but didn't come up with much.

Also, my neighbor's blackberry bushes are coming into my yard and we just picked a bowl full. I want to freeze some of them. I'm guessing all I have to do is wash them and put them in a zip lock bag, right?

Thanks!

Alive for 34 years
T4/5 complete for 25 years
Mom for 7 years

[booster]

Since it wont grow down here I am not certain, but I think I've heard that you pull it at the first frost. I need to go back to the good book of gardening.

Marth may know?

[marmalady]

Shannon, harvest the broccoli when the heads look like they do in the supermarket - don't let the little yellow flowers develop, or it's past its 'prime'. Cut the main stalk off and leave the plant; give it a little fertilizer boost, and you'll get some side 'shoots' develop that won't be as big as the main one, but are just as yummy!

Yes, you can freeze your blackberries as you said - just make sure they are absolutely dry before freezing them. I usually spread out berries on a cookie sheet and freeze just til frozen, then put in ziplocks; they stay separate better that way.

Your garden sounds wonderful - how ambitious!

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If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. - Mother Teresa

[Hunker]

I found this site for you

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/sqfoot/msg052008153610.html
Matt http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Shannon]

Thank you! I just checked on it and the color of it looks right, but it seems smaller than what I would find at the grocery store. I think I will probably harvest it tomorrow as too early is usually better than too late.

Thanks for the advice on the blackberries, Marmalady. I've never done any freezing or canning before.

My daughter and I are enjoying our garden so much. So far we've eaten cherry tomatos, a cucumber, strawberries, blueberries, beans, peas, and I've used the basil in some of the dinners I've cooked. The only two things that have made it into the house are the cucumber and the basil. Everything else has gone directly from the plant and into our mouths! I'm not real fond of beans usually, but when they are raw and they come right out of my own garden, they're so good. I don't like the peas, but my daughter does. She doesn't like the maters, but I love 'em!

What's everyone else growing? Oh, I just remembered that I'm also growing catnip. Two of my cats are catnip freaks. The other two aren't interested.

Alive for 34 years
T4/5 complete for 25 years
Mom for 7 years

[marco25]

Shannon, I have a lone fig tree in my yard that's like a candy store for me in the mornings. I love picking and eating the figs. They're so sweet and full of fiber. I don't get enough in a day to "do" something with them, which is fine with me--I just eat them. Yum!

~ Protons have mass? I didn't even know they were Catholic.~ http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Belle]

I've always frozen berries on the cookie sheet forst, then put them in a bag. This way they are individually frozen in the bag and will pour out. You can freeze them right in the bag but they will be a great big berry ice cube later. That's fine if you are going to use them all together anyway.

In my limited experience, home grown broccoli usually has smaller heads than the store kind (but MUCH better tasting!!!). Watch out fot those cabbage worms!


*************
AB wife of T8 complete para

[Shannon]

Martha, isn't it great to go into your yard and get something so fresh and yummy? http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

I'm glad I asked about the blackberries because I would have just dumped them all together and froze them like that.

We ate the brocolli today. It was good! I couldn't believe how different it tasted from the grocery store brocolli!

I haven't had any cabbage worms, Belle! *Knocking on wood*

Alive for 34 years
T4/5 complete for 25 years
Mom for 7 years

[SydneyJo]

I too was going to warn you about those worms. They are the same color as the brocolli so when I was it, I gently pry each little stem apart because there usually is some hiding in there. Although my sister in law gave me some of hers and I didnt find a one. Maybe it is the year for brocolli.

[marco25]

Shannon, I love growing my own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. When I was at full-time homemaker, that was my hobby. I miss it a lot, but I don't have the time anymore. It was great exercise and there were results for my labor. However, I'm preparing a bed right now to plant roses in January. I'm so excited!

BTW, home grown broccoli is the best. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

~ Protons have mass? I didn't even know they were Catholic.~ http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[marmalady]

Shannon, might be worth investigating if your county has a 'county extension service', usually connected with a state college that offers agricultural ciriculum. They can be a wealth of info on gardening, soil testing, garden pests, etc.

_____________
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. - Mother Teresa

[marco25]

Excellent suggestion marmalady. Thanks. Here is a link to the federal website. Type in your state in "search" for local/regional information. Lots to read! http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

federal cooperative extension link (http://www.csrees.usda.gov/)

~ There's so little you say of the life you have known, why you keep to yourself, why we're always alone. So dark, so dark and deep, the secrets that you keep.~ Cosette, Les Miserables, the opera