It's "Cole" Weather
Yep. It's broccoli and cauliflower time in our fall garden. Growing these are a real treat - for a number of reasons. First, these vegetables are on the top of my favorites list. In part because broccoli and cauliflower can be prepared many different ways for the table. Secondly, the chores related to growing these vegetables in the cooler fall weather are much more pleasurable than in the hot days of late spring and summer. Third, keeping the insect pests and weeds under control are much less difficult. 
Getting the ground prepared in September seems to be more of a challenge each year. I'm not sure if the September temperatures are warmer in years past, or if my energy level is a lot lower than in years past. Either way, a fair amount of work is needed to get the job done. September and October are done for this year and now we are into November. A major concern, now that the temperatures have cooled, will be in keeping the caterpillars from devouring the plants. It doesn't take long for things to get out of control. A quick application of the organic pesticide BT works great in keeping the catepillars under raps.
This year over 150 plants were set out from seeds planted in early August. The first plantings are just now beginning to produce, missing a Thanksgiving day harvest by only a day or so. The plants will continue to producing in December and will reach peak harvest around Christmas. The latest plantings which were set out in early October will hopefully produce their after Christmas and into early January... assuming or course that all goes according to plan.
Now that the much cooler temps are here to stay the maintenance chores will be a lot more enjoyable. It's now time to break out the recipes from years past and to surf the net for new ones. Now where did I put that that broccoli pasta recipe? Or maybe I should try something else, or maybe I'll try something completely new. OK, next time...from the looks of it there will be pleanty of broccoli and cauliflower for "experimentation".
Getting the ground prepared in September seems to be more of a challenge each year. I'm not sure if the September temperatures are warmer in years past, or if my energy level is a lot lower than in years past. Either way, a fair amount of work is needed to get the job done. September and October are done for this year and now we are into November. A major concern, now that the temperatures have cooled, will be in keeping the caterpillars from devouring the plants. It doesn't take long for things to get out of control. A quick application of the organic pesticide BT works great in keeping the catepillars under raps.
This year over 150 plants were set out from seeds planted in early August. The first plantings are just now beginning to produce, missing a Thanksgiving day harvest by only a day or so. The plants will continue to producing in December and will reach peak harvest around Christmas. The latest plantings which were set out in early October will hopefully produce their after Christmas and into early January... assuming or course that all goes according to plan.
Now that the much cooler temps are here to stay the maintenance chores will be a lot more enjoyable. It's now time to break out the recipes from years past and to surf the net for new ones. Now where did I put that that broccoli pasta recipe? Or maybe I should try something else, or maybe I'll try something completely new. OK, next time...from the looks of it there will be pleanty of broccoli and cauliflower for "experimentation".
posted by Randall Leonpacher @ 7:28 AM
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