Growing broccoli this fall?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| I would like to try growing broccoli this fall. I successfully did cucumbers and tomatoes that we are harvesting like crazy now in addition to some herbs. I have a lot of big planter boxes that currently hold herbs. When should I start seeds and can I use my existing planter boxes where I currently have herbs? I plan on ripping out all my cilantro that's on it's way out and clearing one 1' wide x 3' long x 1' deep planter box. |
Anonymous
| Bump..anyone have any experience with growing broccoli around here? |
Anonymous
| I've got nothing, but I'm curious, too! We've just harvested potatoes and tomatoes (our first crops ever) so I'm wondering if we can squeeze in one more crop before the fall. |
Anonymous
I've heard that broccoli is a finicky plant. I'm going to try to grow some kale instead. Good luck and report back if you decide to do the broccoli. 
|
Anonymous
|
My brocolli has always been taken over by little bugs. Every single year; same with cauliflower and cabbage. No issues with bugs on the summer vegetables.
My neighbors (my expert go to's) have had the same experience. |
Anonymous
| Anyone with experience with Brussels sprouts? |
Anonymous
OP here. PP, can you tell me more about potatoes? Are you in the DC area? Could I plant these in the fall as well as the broccoli I'm going to attempt? |
Anonymous
Hi, OP...we're newbies, too, but we tried potatoes in late spring since they are our favorite veggie, and we heard they are easy to grow. They took about 11 weeks from planting to harvesting, so you might just get in a crop if you plant, like, immediately, but I honestly haven't a clue, we were total first timers, just throwing seed potatoes in the ground to see what happens! We planted them in rows and hilled them about every week or so, plus watering, that's about it. Got lots and lots! We're in Northern Virginia, south county of Ffx area.
|
Anonymous
| It'll be our first time growing brassicas this year. I read broccoli could be finicky to grow too. We're hoping to get our brussel sprouts, collards, spinach, and cabbages in the garden this weekend. Anyone thinking about setting up a hoop or make-shift mini green house? We are in Arlington. |
Anonymous
| see if you can find anythinng from Jim Crockett (original host of PBS's The Victory garden. His advice has always been invaluable to me |
Anonymous
OP again. Thanks PP! I am also in south Fairfax County. I wonder if we're neighbors
I think I'll wait until the spring for potatoes then - I assume you have to wait until after the last frost but I'll do some googling. 11 weeks from today would be like, almost Halloween, so I don't think that'd be viable. I suppose I'll also wait until next year for broccoli. Other PP who is planting brassicas, brussel sprouts, spinach, etc. - I totally forgot that I also wanted to do spinach but I thought I'd have to wait until next spring. Now I'm going to run out and buy spinach seeds this weekend!! Or do you think I could pick up seedlings?? I haven't been out to Lowe's or a nursery since the spring so I don't know what all they have this time of year. Jim Crockett PP, I'll look him up too. Thanks all!! |
Anonymous
|
OP, I've never seen spinach seedlings at nurseries, I think you'd have to grow them from seeds? We planted some spinach earlier this summer but a. I didn't pay too much attention to them, and b. they bolted (even though we planted a variety that was supposed to be less sensitive to the heat.) I'm so eager to pull out our squash tomorrow morning to make room for all of my fall/winter vegetables.
You still have time to order your spinach seeds from online catalogues if you're into that. I bought a bunch of heirloom carrots earlier this summer, just waiting for the weather to turn a little cooler before getting them into the ground. |
Anonymous
|
Spinach works best starting from seed. I started a few last week and will continue to sow as the summer crops tail off.
I am trying broccoli for the first time this year - had a lot of success with Kale last year and they are the same family, so hopefully that will help. |
Anonymous
|
Broccoli never worked for us. Other good fall crops are arugula, spinach, lettuce. We're going to try for more sugar snap peas because my toddler was in love with them.
Here's Virginia Tech's website on fall plantings and when to start http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-334/426-334.html#L1 Here's the MD chart: http://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_images/programs/hgic/Publications/not_updated/GE007_Vegetable_Planting_Calendar_for_Central_MD.pdf |
Anonymous
| I was looking through my seed inventory and I did buy broccoli this year, so I guess we'll be trying it too! |