It's All About Nutrition!

Picking (harvesting) Broccoli

It is important to wait until the heads of the brocolli plant reach full size which most often will be about 4 to 6 inches in diameter. When harvesting broccoli you should cut the head about 7 inches down the stem. Weather conditions play a major role when deciding on timing of your harvest. Hot temperatures most often make the heads become loose and cause florets to open into yellow flowers. Cooler temperatures allow the heads to grow tightly and prevent florets from flowering. You should check the heads of your broccoli every other day when daytime temperatures reach or above 70ºF. Cut those that have reached full size at that time. After the heads are cut you will start to see side shoots forming with smaller florets. These tender shoots can be harvested and used the same way as the main head. After harvest, submerge heads in cold water, drain, and refrigerate in airtight containers or plastic bags to keep fresh.

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• after picking broccoli

Picking (harvesting) Beets

One of the best things about beets is that both the roots and the tops can be harvested. The tops can be used in salads, soups or just plain steamed the same manner as spinach or Swiss chard. Beets should be harvested when the roots are one to three inches in diameter. The smaller the root, the more tender they will be when eaten. Beet roots larger than 4 inches in diameter could very well be hard and woody. You can store beets by removing the tops to about 1 inch above the root and then placing them in plastic bags. This will help to keep them from dehydrating and becoming soft. Refrigerating them will help to extend freshness.

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• GROWING AND HARVESTING BEETS IN VERMONT
• ideas for harvesting beets

Picking (harvesting) Asparagus

Asparagus is harvested during the 3rd year after they are planted during an 8-week period of time. Asparagus can be harvested within a shorter time frame during the second year of growth. You should not harvest for more than a 2-week period during the first and second year. Cutting spears at ground level when spears are 6 to 10 inches tall and when the tips are tight will provide the best results. During periods of warm weather asparagus needs to be cut every day.

Refrigerating immediately after cutting will help keep spears fresh, but do not store below 40ºF to avoid cold damage.

Placing spears upright in a pan or bowl with about 2” of water will keep them fresh and crisp.

Helpful Tips on Planning, Planting and

Growing an Organic Garden

This video provides some helpful tips on planning, planting and growing an organic garden.

Big fat rabbit ate our beet tops

I went out to the garden this morning with my cup of coffee to do my morning walk through and found that what is certainly by now a big fat rabbit had eaten all of the beet tops right to the ground. Rather a depressing way to start the day for sure.

I knew we had some rabbits in the area but they always stayed away from the house which is where the beets are (were) growing. I guess the temptation was just too much.

A barrier will be going up today which will protect what is left including rows of carrots and spinach. With any luck the beets will regrow their tops and all will be ok.

I am pretty sure this is the offending rabbit?