Broccoli and cauliflower! I’d like to be able to put enough of these in the freezer that we can stop buying them (except for raw eating out of season). With that in mind, I am trying to, personally, learn to grow them, and we’re testing out different kinds.
Broccoli
Last year was my first year growing broccoli (successfully) in the Kitchen Garden (which is my domain). I grew a lot of pests too, especially in the fall, but I’m still pleased and looking forward to scaling up. I’m not sure what will go in the Kitchen Garden and what will be grown on a larger scale, but these are the varieties we have.
Early Purple Sprouting Broccoli
From Sustainable Seeds. A 59 day broccoli.
Why we’re growing it: Because we want broccoli! Testing out types and varieties.
Where we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden.
Green Calabrese Sprouting Broccoli
From Sustainable Seeds. Days to maturity: 60-90 days. An Italian heirloom.
Why we’re growing it: Because we want broccoli! Testing out types and varieties.
Where we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden?
Piracicaba Non-heading Broccoli
I was really impressed with how continually productive this one was. This one’s “early” too: 56 days. I’m looking forward to another good trial this year. From Fedco.
Why we’re growing it: Because we want broccoli! Testing out types and varieties. This one did good last year.
Where we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden?
Bravado
A “main crop” heading broccoli. “Great tasting, strong growing powerhouse yields big heads and multiple side shoots.” New to us. Hybrid. From Renee’s Garden.
Why we’re growing it: Because we want broccoli! Testing out types and varieties.
Where we’ll grow it: Not sure yet.
Chinese Broccoli Kailaan
A “sort of” broccoli that we’ve never tried before. This is Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra whereas normal broccoli is Brassica oleracea var. italica. Open Pollinated. From Botanical Interests. Get Chinese Broccoli / Kailaan Seeds from Botanical Interests.
Why we’re growing it: Trying something new. Description says: “will tolerate heat better than many broccoli and kale varieties . . . .”
Where we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden.
Cauliflower
Can we do it? We tried Snowball Y last year, maybe even the year before, but I don’t think any of the plants survived childhood. Somebody’s really going to have to focus on cauliflower this year! I wonder if I can talk my Dad into that . . . . I think he actually has some experience. Personally, I don’t even recall having ever seen cauliflower growing in a garden (although I probably did see it as a child)!
Snowball Y
From Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. Days to maturity: 75.
Why we’re growing it: Because we want cauliflower! Testing out types and varieties.
Where we’ll grow it: Not sure yet.
Early Snowball
Heirloom. From Pinetree Seeds. Days to maturity: 55.
Why we’re growing it: Because we want cauliflower! Testing out types and varieties. Season extender (because it’s early).
Where we’ll grow it: Not sure yet.
Snow Crown
Hybrid from Pinetree. Days to maturity: 53.
Why we’re growing it: Because we want cauliflower! Testing out types and varieties. Season extender (because it’s early).
Where we’ll grow it: Not sure yet.
Baby Cauliflower
Hybrid from Pinetree. Days to maturity: 40.
Why we’re growing it: Because we want cauliflower! Testing out types and varieties. Season extender (because it’s early).
Where we’ll grow it: Not sure yet. Maybe the Kitchen Garden.
So that’s our broccoli and cauliflower roundup for 2023!
Are you growing broccoli or cauliflower this year? Where are you in your broccoli/cauliflower growing journey? What varieties are you growing?
