Vegetable Garden - Harvesting Broccoli

[fockya]

i wonder if that goes the same for cauliflower, do you not pull it because side shoots will grow?

[webcajun]

@fockya ... Unlike Broccoli, Cauliflower is a one time harvest.......Donald

[jamisonbrooks]

hpw do you know when the broccli is redy to be harvested

[webcajun]

@jamisonbrooks … You should know (off the seed packet) the approx size when mature. I usually harvest mine when they are about 3/4 or larger in size. Harvest before the head starts breaking up to go to seed……Donald

[aicaps]

i really wanna help pick stuff vegetables now :3

[71278david]

Great videos! I really enjoy them.

[webcajun]

@71278david ... Thanks.......Donald

[louis1999ful]

If the broccoli seeds are so small how do u just get 10 plants if alot of seeds fall to the ground and how do u sepereight the broccoli

[webcajun]

@louis1999ful ... Try not to put too many seeds down in the same area. Once they come up thin em out with a hoe or by pulling. Leave one plant every 18 inches or so.....Donald

[louis1999ful]

i love all your videos i watch them all i am a big fam

[webcajun]

@louis1999ful ... Glad you enjoy em......Donald

[louis1999ful]

@webcajun  thanks

[MightyCarnac]

Are the leaves good to eat?

[webcajun]

@MightyCarnac ... Some say yes......Donald

[mrva99]

Have you done a video on sharpening your tools and blades? I would love to see more on sharpening your chainsaw. KEEP THEM COMING DONALD!! You need your own tv show , maybe on RFD channel!

[webcajun]

@mrva99 ... I hadn't done any vids on sharpening but I will keep it in mind..... Donald

[Jerrid3]

I know you said you can cut the head and more will sprout. If you cut those sprouts will even more sprout out? I think I saw 4 or so sprouts from the first cut. Would 16 sprouts shoot out if you had cut the 4 or so sprouts?

[webcajun]

@Jerrid3 ... The number of side shoots will vary but you can cut 2-3 times on one plant. Of course that depends on the variety. I think the ones in this video were Pack Man Hybrids, a good variety to grow....... Donald

[xxnoangelxx]

Thank you I am growing broccoli this year.

[webcajun]

@xxnoangelxx ... let me know how they turn out......  Donald

[gscarecrow]

Donald, What variety is that broccoli ? How do you keep the plant so small and harvest so much? I wish I could show you my broccoli because it grew so tall the plant and I only got small sprigs at varied times which mad me have to keep the plant for a full year in my allotment in the UK

[webcajun]

The ones in the video are Packman Hybrids which do real well. This year I planted Major F1 which are outstanding. The Major are much bigger plants and produce larger heads. Cut one over 12 inches across. Pictures are on the home page of the web site. Check it out....... Donald

[webcajun]

I doubt if they would make again so I would just replant after harvest......... Donald

[tejava]

hmmmm, just like the spring onions.... makes you re-think what it is you think you know.... Thanks Donald, -Tom

[RedneckHillbillies]

Great video. It almost answered all my questions! It's my first year growing broccoli - How do you know when the brocolli is ready for first harvest and how many times will a plant produce side shoots?

[webcajun]

The size depends on the variety but I would say 6 inches across is a nice size head. You can usually cut the side shoots once maybe twice........ Donald

[moni0919]

how deep does the root of broccolii goes? i like to kno how deep i need to move the ground to plant them, also how good they do in a plant pot?

[webcajun]

I would think 8-12 inches deep and I've never planted them in a pot.......  Donald

[moni0919]

thanks Donald

just here learning

[123twit123twit]

Haha, The beginning didn't make sense for a moment - harvesting broccoli with a chainsaw??

[webcajun]

Big broccoli LOL ...... Donald

[123twit123twit]

haha

[webcajun]

Same as cauliflower ... Plenty sunshine and water when needed they'll do fine...... Donald

[teresah1982]

i planted broccoli today hd plnts not seeds and i hope they do as good as these ones

[AiresQX4]

This year is our first garden too! I too am EXCITED! :D The videos have been so helpful. I have a notebook where I write everything down. Thanks for the info! God Bless!

[webcajun]

You are really going to enjoy growing your own vegetables. Check out the new forum on the web site, there are a lot of good gardeners on it that are more than willing to get you started in the right direction. Keep in mind there are a lot of different ways of doing things you choose the one that's right for you...... Donald

[TnWormsCastings]

this year is my first garden and i am excited . i started a worm bin to feed my soil . going to do raised boxes . i am in Memphis and it gets hot what can i plant for fall? i have diabetes so i need lots of veggies

[webcajun]

In your fall garden you can plantBroccoli, Cauliflower, Beets, Carrots, Cabbage, Lettuce, Onions, Mustard and / or Collard Greens, Turnip, Spinach, Winter Squash, and any other cool weather crop. These can also be planted in your spring garden. Your worm castings will be a very good soil additive for starting your seeds...... Donald

[TnWormsCastings]

thank you i wrote them all down i hope to do well with my first garden .. smiles

[webcajun]

Make sure you have good fertile soil, full sunlight, give them water and you will do just fine...... Donald

[yomolove]

Hi, I love what your doing.... all this info is very helpful..... I had a question though.... can you eat the broccoli leaves.... steam them like collards.

[webcajun]

Not long ago someone commented or emailed and told me you could. Said they kind of taste like collards...... Donald

[Jerrid3]

@yomolove

Per GrowingYourGreens you can eat the leaves and broccoli has 2x the calcium than milk per calorie.

[thizzjose]

when you picked up all the brocolli could the leaf grow some more brocolli if you leave it there

[webcajun]

Yes, once the head is harvested it will produce side shoots which you can also harvest. Watch the vid again and you'll see what I'm talking about......Donald

[jmjcbsmith]

This year is my first time to grow broccoli in my garden. It is nice to be able to browse youtube and find much needed information from your videos. I have to admit....you scared me when I first saw the chainsaw.

[webcajun]

LOL ... yes the chainsaw was kind of funny. You are really going to enjoy that broccoli right out the garden. Plant some cauliflower about three weeks before the broccoli and you'll have both at the same time. Best of luck, Donald

[webcajun]

In a garden of any size weeds and insects are probably the biggest problems you'll encounter. I try to get the weeds with a hoe when they're small and not let them become a problem. Insects get a good dose of Sevin Dust when they become destructive. Side dress with a little fertilizer before watering and let nature take its course. The way I approach it is "why complicate a simple process?"

Good luck with your garden, let me know how it goes and thanks for the kind words ..... Donald

[webcajun]

I received an email a few days ago on that subject. I was informed that the leaves taste similar to collard greens. I have never tried them.

[W1tchingHour]

I hope you get your own T.V. show some day. Your video's are the best! ;)

[webcajun]

Glad you enjoy watching and hope they help out.

Thanks, Donald

[ronnismiles]

Wow!  nice broccoli!

[webcajun]

I ate some, that I had put up in the freezer, last night. They tasted soooo good. I'm planting some more in August for my fall garden. Should be starting the seeds very soon.