Broccoli
Broccoli is a newish vegetable in New Zealand but one which took off in a hurry that it seems like it has been here forever.
There are two types.
Round headed curd
Sprouting broccoli which produces many small heads.
It is a great vegetable and there are many options to use it. It freezes well after blanching. Both the head and the stalk are full of vitamins and nutrients. Check out the internet.
If freezing prepare the florets as for a meal, Blanch, drain and free flow freeze them before putting in a container in the freezer. The stalk or stem can be cut into small pieces blanched and frozen in the same way and used in casseroles, soups etc.
Easy to grow.
In the home garden planting needs to be staggered for a steady supply.
One option is to sow 2 seeds in each cell of a 6 cell punnet. (See Image). Not every seed will grow so having 2 seeds per cell will give you more than 6 plants and they will be easily divided when it’s time to plant them out. Keep them well watered and use some slug bait or similar to prevent them being eaten.
While the seeds are growing prepare the ground for the plants ensuing it has compost and nutrients in it.
Planting the growing plants is interesting as often people plant them too far apart or too close together.
Generally planted too far apart will lead to much larger cauliflower. While too close together they don’t grow very well. Research suggests that about 30 cm x 60cm is about right for a good crop but not the heads not so big as to be wasted. Mind though you can always give half of one away.
Plant in two rows at this spacing and then leave a wider gap between the next planting.
Keep weed free to reduce competition for nutrients.
Watch out for the following pests
Cutting Broccoli. Cut as soon as it is of the right size for you. You don’t have to wait until they are big. Remove the head and leave the stem and roots in the ground as it may produce some small offshoots that can be cut later.
Broccoli do not keep as well as cabbage in the fridge. The heads, which are the nutritious flowers will go yellow and uninviting and not such a good flavour. If there is too much give some away as you will have more coming on.
There are two types.
Round headed curd
Sprouting broccoli which produces many small heads.
It is a great vegetable and there are many options to use it. It freezes well after blanching. Both the head and the stalk are full of vitamins and nutrients. Check out the internet.
If freezing prepare the florets as for a meal, Blanch, drain and free flow freeze them before putting in a container in the freezer. The stalk or stem can be cut into small pieces blanched and frozen in the same way and used in casseroles, soups etc.
Easy to grow.
In the home garden planting needs to be staggered for a steady supply.
One option is to sow 2 seeds in each cell of a 6 cell punnet. (See Image). Not every seed will grow so having 2 seeds per cell will give you more than 6 plants and they will be easily divided when it’s time to plant them out. Keep them well watered and use some slug bait or similar to prevent them being eaten.
While the seeds are growing prepare the ground for the plants ensuing it has compost and nutrients in it.
Planting the growing plants is interesting as often people plant them too far apart or too close together.
Generally planted too far apart will lead to much larger cauliflower. While too close together they don’t grow very well. Research suggests that about 30 cm x 60cm is about right for a good crop but not the heads not so big as to be wasted. Mind though you can always give half of one away.
Plant in two rows at this spacing and then leave a wider gap between the next planting.
Keep weed free to reduce competition for nutrients.
Watch out for the following pests
- Slugs Use slug pellets or an organic option
- Caterpillars. Use an insect spray or organic option. If white butterflies are still around try covering the plants with frost cloth.
- Aphids. Use and insect spray or organic option.
Cutting Broccoli. Cut as soon as it is of the right size for you. You don’t have to wait until they are big. Remove the head and leave the stem and roots in the ground as it may produce some small offshoots that can be cut later.
Broccoli do not keep as well as cabbage in the fridge. The heads, which are the nutritious flowers will go yellow and uninviting and not such a good flavour. If there is too much give some away as you will have more coming on.