Saturday, July 21, 2012

Happy, Happy, Happy!

That broccoli I harvested yesterday . . . was THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BROCCOLI I have ever seen! And, yes, it was totally wormless. I soaked it in warm salt water for an hour and a half. No worms. I blanched it in preparation for freezing. No worms. Thank you, Sue! Thank you, Sue! (I am going to the Credit Union first thing Monday morning to see if I can get a loan to buy enough Agribon to cover our whole acreage.)

As gorgeous as the broccoli was I got only seven servings (a serving is enough to feed both of us one meal) from four heads. I saved one head in the refrigerator to use in a couple of new recipes I've been wanting to try.

I make an effort to preserve enough of each veggie I grow to last for (at least) one year. So even though I may get some side shoots from the broccoli plants yet, you can see I'm gonna fall short of enough broccoli to make it through to next year's harvest. (Understatement.)

But, hey, this year was definitely an experiment and one I'll continue fiddling with.

I'm going to plant some fall broccoli without the Agribon covering hoping the cycle of that nasty little white moth that lays eggs in the broccoli has run its course for the season. It will be very interesting to see if I can grow fall broccoli without cover, without worms. ('Course, I should point out I've never had success growing fall broccoli!)

As another aspect of the great Agribon experiment, I still have one bed covered with it. I used it on a bed of Brussels sprouts (also prone to being inedible because of little green you-know-whats). The Brussels sprouts won't be mature until later this fall. I had seven Brussels sprouts transplants I set out and also three broccoli plants I couldn't fit in the bed just harvested so put them in with the Brussels sprouts.

Now the curious thing is that none of the three broccoli plants in with the Brussels sprouts (under the Agribon) have started to form heads yet. The plants are big, the same size of those that I just harvested the mature heads from. Hmmmm . . . what's going on here?

Just another great garden mystery to be followed up on. But in the meantime, excuse me while I go gaze at my worm-free broccoli in the freezer.

14 comments:

Katidids said...

I didn't think you could plant broccli near brussel sprouts? I didn't think they were "friends"..have you planted that way before? Love the idea of the hoops, to keep the critters away. My broccli was a feast for those critters and lost it all. Trying to see if I can get some fall planting in also. I looks wonderful and yummy

Amy Dingmann said...

Worm free! Worm free! (Anytime you're worm free on the homestead/farmstead is a time to celebrate!!)

Sue said...

:)

Mama Pea said...

Katidids - I don't think there is any problem planting broccoli and Brussels sprouts close to each other as they're both brassicas.

I don't usually have much luck with fall planting but because of the cost of food this coming fall/winter, I'm sure gonna give it another try this year.

Mama Pea said...

Mama Tea - Amen, Sistah!

Mama Pea said...

Sue - :) right back at ya, my gardening guru!

Anonymous said...

I will have to make a note of this for future use :) Glad you finally got some, even if it isn't enough for the winter. Will keep my fingers crossed for the fall crop :)

judy said...

I could eat those raw! glad your having such a successful week,mine ,lets just say I should put 911 on speed dial,@#$&&*(+♥☻2,ahhhh,life .isn't it grand

Erin said...

I want an Agribon covered yard!

Mama Pea said...

Stephanie - Not enough for the winter, but we sure are going to enjoy the seven servings we did get!

Mama Pea said...

judy - We DO eat a lot of broccoli raw. (It's no doubt best for us that way!)

Sending good vibes your way for a good, good, good week coming up. With no 911 calls involved!

Mama Pea said...

Erin - You and me both, Kiddo!

Shannon said...

I have stopped growing broccoli because of the worms. So this was very encouraging to me. Especially with 5 kids, I would like to again, try to grow and freeze broccoli, so thanks for sharing your ideas!

Mama Pea said...

Shannon - I, too, stopped growing it because I couldn't grow it without worms. Gotta admit covering it with the Agribon was a bit of a task, but so worth it.