What did you do in the garden today?

[Birdinhand]

This is not today but I thought I’d chime in and report that for the first time ever for me in the Pacific Northwest, my fall-winter over crop of broccoli and cauliflower was ready for harvest in January! I made the call and harvested it all right before the big cold snap, otherwise all the heads would have rotted. Here’s a few photos:

 

[ShrekDawg]

This is not today but I thought I’d chime in and report that for the first time ever for me in the Pacific Northwest, my fall-winter over crop of broccoli and cauliflower was ready for harvest in January! I made the call and harvested it all right before the big cold snap, otherwise all the heads would have rotted. Here’s a few photos:

What is the yellow one?

 

[chickengr]

What is the yellow one?

cauliflower. I have been looking for it's seeds but no luck yet.

 

[ShrekDawg]

cauliflower. I have been looking for it's seeds but no luck yet.

Ohhhh I didn’t realize that was cauliflower too. It looks so different lol

 

[CNJ]

In theory, I understand the concept of having a large 55-gallon rain barrel feed a control bucket with a float valve, and that feeds a number of containers down the line. If all the containers were on a level plain, I think it would be easy.

But I'm trying to figure out how to automatically water containers on a 3-tier shelf like system where the containers are not all level because of the 3-tiers. Maybe I need a control box on each tier?

In any case, it sure seems like a better option to refill one large reservoir each day, week, etc... as needed instead of having to water 20 individual containers every day.

You could use perlite or coco coir instead of the potting mix used in this video set up and run it like a manual Dutch bucket. The reservoir and water drip and number of buckets will decide the best reservoir size. In addition, you could use a pump to pump the water back up to the main reservoir at end of day or do it by hand. The nutrient loss from all the bucket to the drain tote is hardly noticeable. Like a standard hydroponic system, the ph, and nutrient ec should be monitored and maintained.

 

[gtaus]

You could use perlite or coco coir instead of the potting mix used in this video set up and run it like a manual Dutch bucket. The reservoir and water drip and number of buckets will decide the best reservoir size. In addition, you could use a pump to pump the water back up to the main reservoir at end of day or do it by hand. The nutrient loss from all the bucket to the drain tote is hardly noticeable. Like a standard hydroponic system, the ph, and nutrient ec should be monitored and maintained.

Thanks. I will watch that video tonight. I have heard of the Dutch Bucket System, but don't yet know how it works. Thanks for the link.

 

[Birdinhand]

What is the yellow one?

This is known by a couple names: Romanesco broccoli (also known as broccolo romanesco, romanesque cauliflower, or romanesco) it is in fact a cultivar of the cauliflower. I love it for its fractal florets. It’s a magical plant with a wonderful taste, and like other brasicus, it can be planted in the early spring, handling some frost, late summer for a fall harvest or even late fall for a spring harvest… or with our warming climate, apparently a January harvest!

 

[ShrekDawg]

This is known by a couple names: Romanesco broccoli (also known as broccolo romanesco, romanesque cauliflower, or romanesco) it is in fact a cultivar of the cauliflower. I love it for its fractal florets. It’s a magical plant with a wonderful taste, and like other brasicus, it can be planted in the early spring, handling some frost, late summer for a fall harvest or even late fall for a spring harvest… or with our warming climate, apparently a January harvest!

Awesome!!! I need to try some

 

[TJAnonymous]

It started raining today so everything has finally melted. Now we get 2 - 3 days of steady rain but at least the temperature will be climbing UP. It will be near 60 degrees on Thursday! Hallelujah!

I've been putting off going to the feed store because I don't want to go out in the cold. I really need to go tomorrow though... One of our barn cats has a nickel-sized gaping hole in the side of his face where an abscess blew out last weekend. He's half feral so there's no way he will allow me to pick him up. I can pet him though so if I can get some kind of cream antibiotic at the feed store, I should be able to covertly rub some on his face without him noticing... I just can't hold him to do it.

 

[Smokerbill]

For you garlic growers I have a question. I planted garlic cloves last October or November (don't remember exactly) and after a few weeks they were all sprouting.

They continued growing slowly, and even survived all the snow and temperatures in the teens. The plants are still upright and green after all the snow melted away.

I thought garlic started growing in the fall, then kind of died off in the winter, and then came back to finish growing in the spring. Guess I was wrong.

So is this normal behavior for all types of garlic varieties? Do they all stay green all winter long?

Oh yeah. I thought I had all the seeds I needed but just realized that I forgot to get pepper seeds. Guess I'll order from Baker Seeds again. I suppose you get a free package of seeds when buying just one packet, and I like the free shipping.