Broccoli

Last year, Jay decided to try growing broccoli, just to see if it tasted better homegrown and to see how successfully it could be grown in our climate. The result:


Since that turned out so well, he is planning to broccoli plantings this year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Today, we planted 192 plants today in one of our mobile high tunnels. Well, "we" doesn't include Jay. He had foot surgery last week and his garden responsibilities are limited to this:


(cutting seed potatoes and directing his crews)

Because he was laid up, our operation defined "family farm" today. Our sister-in-law, nephew, and niece helped K (oldest daughter) and I transplant all the inside broccoli and about a quarter of our seed potatoes planted.

How do you transplant broccoli seedlings? Well, this is how I do it:

1. Dig holes about 4 inches deep, 18-24 inches between plants. Many of ours are more closely planted, because our goal isn't huge broccoli heads this year. The goal for us is more heads total, especially since we'll be double-cropping this patch later this summer.
2. Remove the seedling from the tray.
3. Loosen the roots at the bottom of the plants, to ensure that they aren't rootbound.
4. Place the plant in the prepared hole. Loosely pack the dirt around the plant so it is supported.
5. Immediately water the plant. This not only gives the plant water, but also packs the soil around the root, giving the plant support and protecting the root.

Now, this might not be the official way to transplant broccoli or other seedlings. But it works for us. Also, keep in mind a lot of work (soil tests, tilling, fertilizing, removing plant residue) went into the plot before the holes were dig. More about that another day.

Tonight, we celebrate having this done:

Broccoli