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?? about WS Broccoli

highalttransplant

16 years ago

I have a couple of questions for those of you that have successfully WS broccoli. First, there is a thread on the Vegetable Forum, and a link to the Univ. of New Hamp. was posted that says temperature drops below 50 degrees can cause broccoli seedlings to go to flower too early. This is confusing to me, since I thought broccoli was a cool weather crop, and our temps will drop into the 50's until June or July! Should I wait until late March/early April to sow this one?

The other thing that I'm a bit confused about is the DTM. A couple sites I looked at, list the Purple Sprouting Broccoli that I have, as being 120 DTM. That would put it not being ready to harvest until at least July, but since we reach highs in the 90's by June, I'm afraid it will bolt way before it is ready to harvest.

Has anyone had WS success with this, or should I consider starting some indoors? I'm sure I can get germination with WS, but I am wondering more about a successful harvest.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Bonnie

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Comments (10)

clumsygrdner
16 years ago
I'm a newbie wintersowing, but I love growing broccoli. I can't say that that my answer is exactly right though because every broccoli year has been different.

Based on my experience, broccoli bolts because of stress, not necessarily temperature (Though that can cause stress.) Any rapid change in temperature (Like say, 20 to 30 degrees' change in a night) drought, and even bugs, appear to have caused my broccoli to form heads. You should be okay if you keep your broccoli well watered and well mulched to avoid those problems.

But like I said, that's just my experience. Maybe someone else can better explain.
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highalttransplant
Original Author
16 years ago
Clumsygrdner, when do you usually put yours out, and when do you start harvesting in your area?

Bonnie
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clumsygrdner
16 years ago
I buy transplants as soon as available. Though with wintersowing, I will now grow my own. (Happy day!) They usually start appearing around mid-March to April. I'm harvesting from late May to Late June. Then, ready or not, the plants are yanked to make room for other things.
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highalttransplant
Original Author
16 years ago
I guess that's what's bothering me about the 120 DTM I saw, is that I was planning on doing the same thing - pulling them in June to plant other things. If they germinate in March, which is the earliest anything will germinate here through WS, and take 120 DTM, that puts us in the middle of July. With our highs around 100 degrees in July, it seems like it would bolt, and even if it didn't, I would still need that garden space for my tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers by June.

Well, I won't know if I don't try it, so I guess I'll go ahead and WS it. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Bonnie
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clumsygrdner
16 years ago
120 DTM??? Wow. I've never heard of a broccoli taking that long. Watermelon, sure, but broccoli?

My broccoli is typically 60-75 DTM. I'm not sure what kind yours is but 120 DTM sounds awfully... I don't know... Excessive.

You'll probably do just fine! Just weed, water, and mulch and broccoli practically grows itself!
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sheltieche
16 years ago
if not eaten completely by rabbits...
I think I will intentionally plant few so rabbits will leave alone everything else....
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barbe_wa
16 years ago
I plant the purple sprouting broccoli in the fall for a spring harvest. Maybe you could try another variety, like Packman that has a 55 DTM or Green Comet which is another early one. Anyway, one that is specifically for spring harvest.
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clumsygrdner
16 years ago
lol Awwww, lindalana, that's awful! I own a dog so the bunnies keep far away from my gardens. barbe_wa there's a good chance that Bonnie's Broccoli is a Late variety, those that were meant to over winter in a milder winter area. That's the only reason I can think of for 120 DTM broccoli.
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highalttransplant
Original Author
16 years ago
Well, bummer! I wouldn't have bought the 'Purple Sprouting Broccoli' if I would have realized it was a winter crop meant for milder zones. I really hadn't planned on ordering any more seeds this year, but maybe I can find some shorter DTM broccoli seeds locally.

Lindalana, I saw my first bunny tracks a few weeks ago, and they ate one of my favorite Heucheras : ( I read a thread here recently about using an egg and water mixture to scare off the bunnies, and I will definitely try it at the first sign of them in the veggie patch!

Thanks everyone for your help,
Bonnie
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highalttransplant
Original Author
16 years ago
Great news! I contacted the company I bought the 'Purple Sprouting' Broccoli from, and found out mine is an early variety of Purple Sprouting, with a DTM of 60 -75 days. Yippee!!! I'm going to WS it today : )

Bonnie
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