first time winter gardener

[lillgardnr]

hi all,
well this is my first winter garden. the weather has been anything but regular. it has been sunny, rainy, and it even snowed a little. right now I have five rows going.
row #1 is red cabbage

row #2 is green cabbage
[/img][img]https://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t285/nabes1/greencabbage-1.jpg[/img]
row #3 is brussels sprouts

row #4and5 is broccoli
[/img][img]https://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t285/nabes1/broccoli.jpg[/img]
I'm not sure how to tell when the cabbage is ready. when should I cut the tops off the broccoli? I think I may have started a little late. everything was planted early October.

any advice would be greatly appreciated[/img]

[Grey]

Wow, I'd say you are doing GREAT!

I just learned this trick about broccoli, so I'm going to share. When that top head is ready, cut it off before it bolts. The plant will be forced to put out new broccoli shoots out the sides (because it thinks it has to bloom!). These will not be as big as the main head was, but as you keep cutting those off, it will keep on putting out new shoots, nice tight little edible bundles, for you to enjoy.

[lillgardnr]

thanks ok, silly question, but when do I know when the top end is ready (bolt?)? will the tops that I remove be edible?

[Grey]

The top looks edible now, to me. I haven't grown broccoli much yet, but hope to try again this fall. When it looks about ready, like one you'd love to get in the grocery store, go for it.

[mortgage lifter]

Hello,cut your broccoli when the heads are tight.don't let the heads start flowering.You can still eat it if they flower,but they are not as good. Make sure you cut your heads off at an angle. If you cut them flat,water might build up and start either disease or rottening. Everything looks great though and enjoy!

[lillgardnr]

thanks a lot.... anyone know anything about cabbage?

[opabinia51]

One thing that I will recommend is not to wait to long to harvest the heads or they will rot. Also watch out for cabbage butterflies in spring and summer. They are whit with black spots, if memory serves; males of one spot and females have two.

Check this website out:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants

[lillgardnr]

should the cabbage head or the leaves be a certain size?, and when I harvest them do I remove the whole thing root and all, or just the head? ... thanks for all the help

[opabinia51]

No, there isn't a specific size that governs all cabbage worldwide. What you'' notice after growing them for a few years is that your cabbage will be best harvested at a certain size. Generally speaking, the farther south you go, the smaller the heads of the cabbage will be when you harvest them. Though, I live by the 49th parallell and my cabbage are from the size of a softball up that of a volleyball. A local farm sells cabbage that they grow that are about the size of an average soccer ball.

PS


A little growing tip for all your plants:

In the fall collect up all the leaves that have fallen (except Walnut and if you grow corn or any other grasses don't use Oak Leaves) and run over them with your lawn mower. Lay them on the soil surrounding your plants and cover with some sort of green like manure, coffee grinds, grass clippings, blood meal and so on.

Kelp meal is a great organic slow release fertilzer for any plants. Throw a handful in the hole before planting someting or just sprinkled it around the area if you are planting seeds.

And you are most welcome for the advice, that's what we are here for. Good luck with your garden and be sure to let us know how things turn out!

[lillgardnr]

my little girl and I cut the tops off the broccoli today... yummy...I almost couldn't rinse it fast enough for her. we didn't get a huge amount , but it was enough for 4 people... it was sweet uncooked. much more tender than the broccoli I'm used to getting from the store

[opabinia51]

Yes, fresh vegetables are always better than week old vegetables. Not to mention your broccoli was grown in nice, nutrient rich soil with the abscence of anything with the suffix -cide.

Amazing flavours arise just from the growing methods and not to meniton when a vegetable is fresh.

[lillgardnr]

you sure are right... I don't use any chemicals in my garden at all. not for fert., or repellent...100% all natural

[Grey]

You guys are making me hungry for fresh veggies.

[opabinia51]

Good on you! You are an inspiration and I take my hat off to you! Feel free to post any of your ideas and methods on the site. We're always on the look out for great discussions.