Need opinion on broccoli

[catjac1975]

My Brassicaceae crops were devoured by a woodchuck. I have since started new seedlings but now it is really too late into the hot weather for them to likely be successful. I do not know if I should bother planting them . The heat may make them just buttonhead. What do you experts think? I was harvesting at this time last year. I could restart seedlings at a later date for the fall which is what I probably should have done. The young plants grew faster than they did over the winter. Don't know what I should do.

 

[digitS']

Great Expert Here! The expert who forgot to start any broccoli for the first time since the dawn of agriculture!

I'm mostly going on mistakes that were learning experiences. I'm not taking responsibility for the mistakes, just the lesson learned ... that's how one is able to claim to be an expert, right?! Okay, I should have gone out and bought some 2017 broccoli plants !

June 2016, we had record heat. Tiny broccoli plants bolted. Nearly all, I pulled. The ones I saved, removed the tiny buds and fertilized grew into large plants and produced nicely in the fall! I hardly imagined that it was possible ... shouldn't admit that, might damage my reputation. Anyway, months of the usual summer heat and dryness didn't stop those plants from making proper growth.

Steve

 

[journey11]

By my calendar, a couple more weeks and you can start a fall crop. I'd say go for it.

 

[catjac1975]

Hey thanks! I will hold the seedings indoors..

 

[PhilaGardener]

Just don't leave the door open! Woodchucks find broccoli irresistible . . .

 

[catjac1975]

Just don't leave the door open! Woodchucks find broccoli irresistible . . .

There was an unseen hole in the fence-since repaired. The damage was enormous. All peas, broccoli and cauliflower-gone. We have them in the freezer for more than half the winter in a good year.I did discover brussel spouts -seem to had been second choice. Eating bak choy and cabbage will likely produce. But he could have had all of those if he left the broccoli and cauliflower alone.

 

[so lucky]

I don't know how many plants you are speaking of, but you might try some shade for the hot, hot sun. Shade-cloth or frost proof cloth. Particularly for the setting out/acclimation time. Let us know how it goes!

 

[PhilaGardener]

There was an unseen hole in the fence-since repaired. The damage was enormous. All peas, broccoli and cauliflower-gone. We have them in the freezer for more than half the winter in a good year.I did discover brussel spouts -seem to had been second choice. Eating bak choy and cabbage will likely produce. But he could have had all of those if he left the broccoli and cauliflower alone.

I meant the door of the house, catjac ! They will help themselves to your freezer stash too!

I have had too many experiences with chucks in my garden over the years . . .

 

[journey11]

That is terrible!

They are like mice, in that they can pancake themselves flat and squeeze through tiny holes.

We have trim around the bottom of our little red barn, but it has gotten battered over the years. I think I might be better to take it off so they feel exposed and can't hide under there. The worst thing about groundhogs is that they are so sneaky, you don't realize they are there until it is too late. I hope you can make it up on your fall crop.

 

[digitS']

I don't know what you will think of me but last week I killed the marmot that decided to take up residence within 20' of my garden.

He was under the neighbor's stack of railroad ties. I decided that I was probably strong enough to move them. After the burrow was exposed, marmot hide could be seen just about 12" down.

A railroad tie was lifted and dropped. After awhile, I dug down, pulled him out, then reburied the remains.

digitS', Burlington Northern and Santa Fe