In the Garden with Pat Rubin

Bee garden writer Pat Rubin writes about everything that grows, from flowers and trees to vegetables and lawns. Pat volunteered for several years as a Placer County Master Gardener and has written about gardening for many national and regional publications. In addition to gardening, she spends time raising and showing miniature horses and miniature donkeys.

In the Garden will include news, events, advice and other gardening tidbits. Pat will also answer reader questions.

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April 14, 2008

No broccoli now

Q: I planted 6 broccoli plants in October and they have each grown a leaf or two, and no broccoli crowns have appeared. The tag said they would mature in 60 days, which would have been around Christmas time, but they certainly didn't do that. Should I continue to wait for them to grow or pull them out?
Sue Gilson, Roseville

A: I doubt you’re going to get any broccoli now. Most likely the plants will send up flower stalks, which means as far as they are concerned the season is over and it’s time to make seed for the next one.

Broccoli should be planted in August or September. October is just too late.
Pull them out, and try again this August.

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