Broccoli Early Purple Sprouting

I picked some early purple sprouting broccoli yesterday. Our of shear laziness, I decided to eat it raw. The flowers are not quite ready to open, but they're close so I was expecting a biting mustard undertone as I bit into the stalk. I was surprised how sweet they are. My son was even enjoying it!

My opinion of growing broccoli has certainly changed. It's all about the proper timing. Planting starts in the fall adds winter interest when everything is dormant. And, the harvest is ready just in time when we're all bored of eating kale.

I'm going to let a few go to seed for planting this fall.

Fall Rewards

II had a chance to get some gardening done during a sunbreak today. My top priority was to remove the flowering stalks from my rhubarb.

But in the time I changed into my gardening clothes, the weather turned again. Regardless, I made a mad dash out into the garden to remove the stalks and ducked back inside.**

In my rush back towards the house, I noticed a few things from my fall planting. The fava beans are flowering. These plants have been in a holding pattern this winter. I'm not sure if they would be as good looking if it had snowed or been colder.

I love the black and white color contrast in the flowers.



My early sprouting purple broccoli has started producing flower heads. We'll see how well they end up doing. I think I have the timing right. I planted them in the fall. I'm still not convinced it's worth the effort for the amount of broccoli in return.

I have my doubts...

 

The spinach I planted I thought I was going to harvest for the fall. I quickly realized when I put it in the ground, I was too late. Just like the fava beans, I'm not sure if the plants would look as good if we had a harsh winter. I'm looking forward to using this in a salad with the lettuce I have.

 



Looks like a slug beat me to it!

I did plant garlic this fall and then I forgot that I had planted it. Then I remembered when garlicky things started emerging from the ground. Yes, there are times I forget to label where I've planted things.

I'm looking forward to garlic scapes more than anything!

Even the rutabaga that my son and I sowed directly in the garden at the end of summer is looking like something. We'll see if anything comes of it. I do predict that he probably won't eat it in the end. Ah well.

**As I was writing this, the weather cleared enough for me to snap these photos. Yay!**

 

 

 

Early Purple Sprouting Broccoli

Finally! My Early Sprouting Purple Broccoli produced something edible. After having it in the ground for at least a year now and constantly battling with it encroaching along the path, I managed to actually eat it. I'm not sure I will grow this one again. Or maybe I'll start it later in the fall for the following spring. Then it will truly live up to its name.

Not-so-Edible

Yes, there are times when something I've grown in the garden just doesn't quite work out.

My early purple sprouting broccoli has grown wonderfully. The stalks are huge and about 4' tall. But, I have yet to get any flowers on them.

Instead of giving up completely, I decided to try sauteing the leaves with some butter and garlic. A friend told me that the leaves can be very tasty. They seemed similar in texture to lacinato kale and became a lovely green color when I cooked them up.


Looks good!

Oh, but what a disappointment when I tried them. They were leathery and not flavorful at all. No amount of butter, garlic, and even Parmesan cheese would make these right!

Ah well. I guess I'll keep growing on the others until they finally sprout or a freeze knocks them back for the season. Stay tuned!