Dateline: 1 September 2016
On August 20th, I got an email from Burpee seed company with a tempting picture of broccoli seedlings. Despite never having ordered seedlings through the mail, the offer of 12 plants for $8.24, plus $4.95 shipping, was too good to pass up. I decided to give it a shot.
My order arrived this afternoon…
I eagerly opened it…
Next, I slid out the contents from the bottom…
Inside were six broccoli plants, instructions, and a small bag of organic mineral plant food called “Dino-Mite.”
I had already prepared a spot in my garden for the broccoli, using framed beds and insect netting to protect them from cabbage butterfly infestations that have ruined previous crops.
This is the frame…
The frame, constructed with 2x4 pieces, sits directly on the ground and supports PVC pipe hoops I’ve had for years.
It measures 30" x 30" to match the size of my Haxnicks Micromesh lantern cloche and to fit the 5ft hoops, resulting in an internal height of about 25". Additionally, this size can be made from a single 10ft 2x4, which is economical.
A 30" x 30" space is also manageable. I already grow four kale plants in this size cloche with great success. They are actually ready for harvest again. Here’s how it looks…
Here’s a closer look at how the hoops attach to the frame…
This design allows easy removal of the hoops when they’re no longer needed.
Each framed bed received four broccoli seedlings. Here’s one being planted after removing a few leaves…
The broccoli is replacing green beans, whose roots remain in the ground. I added Azomite mineral powder and kelp meal to the top few inches of soil.
This picture shows the four seedlings planted and surrounded by buckwheat stem mulch, grown as green manure…
Here’s one of the broccoli nestled in the buckwheat mulch…
Finally, I covered the bed with ProtekNet 25gr insect netting for added protection…
To secure the netting, I tucked the edges under the frame…
These measures should create a healthy environment for the broccoli to thrive once they adjust to their new home.
Here’s a similar setup with a young cabbage plant transplanted a week ago…
Lastly, here’s a broccoli bed with the Haxnicks Micromesh cloche in place…
If everything goes as planned, I’ll share updates on their progress later this season. Stay tuned.