The Kitchen Garten

Backyard Gardening and Garden Fresh Recipes

Archives for April 2020

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Kitchen Garden Revival Review

Guess what? The kitchen garden is officially making a come back! Yes! And in a very big way. Here at The Kitchen Garten, I’ve always been in love with having a backyard (side yard or front yard) garden to grow fresh vegetables and herbs at home.

Nicole Burke of The Rooted Garden and Gardenary standing in her home garden
Nicole Burke of Gardenary in her home garden.

And Nicole Burke of Gardenery, Inc. and The Rooted Garden has released her new book Kitchen Garden Revival. Nicole Johnsey Burke, Founder of Gardenary, Inc. is on a crusade to bring back the kitchen garden, make gardening a profitable profession again, and basically save the planet one garden at a time.

After starting Rooted Garden in 2015, a business that designs, installs and maintains kitchen gardens in Houston, TX, Nicole launched Gardenary, a new tech company that’s taught 1000s of students how to garden and trained hundreds of gardeners to start their own garden coach businesses. In late 2019, Nicole launched the Gardenary platform: the ‘Uber’ of gardening and her breakthrough book, Kitchen Garden Revival, releases spring of 2020.

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What I love about Kitchen Garden Revival

I’ve known Nicole for several years, first as one of her students in her Kitchen Garden Coach Society, and now as a virtual garden coach on her Gardenary platform. (That’s right! I offer live garden coaching through Gardenary!) I was able to get an advanced copy of Kitchen Garden Revival to read through. Here’s what I love:

  • How to select a place in your yard to have a garden
  • What to consider when designing your home garden layout
  • Step by step instructions for how to set up a raised garden bed, including building a wood bed and making a metal bed on wheels.
  • How to fill your raised garden beds with high quality soil using her specific formula
  • What to plant based on the seasons in your area.
Kitchen Garden Revival

New Gardening Ideas

One of the other things I really loved about Kitchen Garden Revival is Nicole’s new takes on established garden ideas. As a long-time gardener, I’ve always thought about zones for planting advice and information. Nicole encourages gardeners to think in seasons instead.

Consider your average high and low temperatures for each month and then classify your seasons as either cold, cool, warm, or hot. Here in eastern North Carolina, we truly have a cool season, two warm seasons, and a hot season. I like thinking about my growing seasons in this way since we truly can grow vegetables year round without a true cold season.

I also really love Nicole’s strategy of intensive planting. This simply means there’s no wasted space in the garden, and this helps conserve water and cut down on weeds. I think you’ll really love her ideas for how to plant successfully.

Is this book for you?

Are you looking to create a beautiful, compact garden that produces abundantly? How about creating a garden that blends in with your current landscape and home? Then consider grabbing a copy of Kitchen Garden Revival. Not only is it helpful for gardens, full of advice and tips, but it’s also beautiful enough to sit on any coffee table and be a conversation piece.

Grab your copy today, and be on the lookout for a giveaway coming up in the near future!

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How to Grow Squash and Zucchini

Squash (and zucchini, a variety of squash) is a favorite in the spring and summer vegetable garden. So if you’re new to gardening or just struggling to successfully grow squash and zucchini, then this guide to growing squash is just what you need. I’ll tackle popular varieties of squash, how to grow them, common pests and diseases, and even how to preserve squash for use later. Let’s get started!

Why grow squash and zucchini?

I absolutely love growing squash and zucchini in our home vegetable garden. These vegetables are so versatile since they’re able to be used in side dishes, baked goods, soups, relishes, etc,

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Squash and zucchini are also relatively easy to grow, and this includes starting them from seed directly in the garden, which is the method I choose almost every year. These low lying plants do get quite large, but they’re super easy to maintain, and can produce abundantly! (That’s good for you, and probably good for your neighbors.)

Summer vs. winter squash

There are two distinct families of squash for home gardeners to be aware of. Some squash varieties such as crookneck yellow squash and all zucchini are considered summer squash varieties. These grow in the warmer months of spring and summer and will finish up production before the fall.

Zucchini from our raised bed garden

However, there are also winter squash varieties such as butternut, acorn, spaghetti, and delicata which are all larger, thicker skinned squash that should be planted in summer for a fall/early winter harvest. (This all depends on which zone you’re growing in, so be sure to check with your local extension office or the seed package itself.)

Popular varieties of squash and zucchini

There are some classic varieties of squash and zucchini that have been tried and true for years, but also some fun varieties if you’re looking to try something new and exciting!

Summer Squash Varieties:

Winter Squash:

  • Delicata Squash– A sweet winter squash that tastes much like a sweet potato. Bake this one up with butter and brown sugar!
  • Spaghetti Squash- Bright yellow, large, and perfect for anyone who enjoys swapping out a vegetable for pasta!
  • Blue Hubbard Squash– Fun, bluish shaped fruit dominate the vines of this plant. Very sweet and stores well.
  • Pink Banana Squash– Want to try something new? Try this jumbo pink banana squash, which can get up to 4 feet long! Sweet fruit with a lovely pink/orange skin.

Where to grow squash and zucchini

Squash varieties need at least 6 hours of sun to be most productive, so choose a spot in your yard or garden that fits this bill. Squash plants, whether summer or winter varieties, also require well-draining soil rich in organic matter. So be sure to add some fresh compost to your soil before planting.

As I’ll mention later, you also want to avoid growing squash in the same place year after year. This is especially true if you’ve had issues with squash vine borers or squash bugs in the past.

How to plant squash

  • If growing from seed, be sure to plant 2-3 seeds per spot, in case of low germination.
  • Squash are generally recommended to be grown on hills. Simply hill soil up in the place you’ve chosen for your squash plants. Squash hills don’t have to be tall, but several inches above the rest of the garden is sufficient.
  • Place seeds in the top of the hill, cover with soil, and water well. Seeds should germinate within a week. If all seeds planted germinate, then thin the seedlings by removing one or two.
  • If planting from seedlings purchased from the store or started indoors, be sure to first harden off the seedlings. Then, carefully plant the seedlings in your hills, taking care not to damage the roots. Water plants to help them establish.
Our squash seedlings 2 weeks after planting.

Caring for squash plants

I find squash to be some of the lowest maintenance plants in the spring and summer vegetable garden. With good soil, they will flourish and produce well.

Watering squash

Keep soil around the squash plants damp, but they’re also fine to dry out a bit between waterings. For summer varieties especially, their wide leaves will help to shade the soil, helping the soil to not dry out too quickly. Mulching around the plants can also help to keep the soil moist.

Fertilizing squash and zucchini

Use a general, good quality fertilizer once the plants are established, choosing one that is lower in nitrogen. A high nitrogen fertilizer can encourage lots of green leaves and not as many blooms.

Pruning squash and zucchini

While pruning squash may not seem like something you’d need to do, pruning squash and zucchini will encourage air flow. As with pruning other bushy plants, like tomatoes (See my guide to pruning tomatoes), pruning can help reduce the chance of powdery mildew. See this great video from MiGardener for a guide to pruning squash and zucchini.

How to harvest squash and zucchini

Now the fun part, harvesting your squash! No matter the variety, winter or summer, how do you know when your squash is ready to be harvested?

For summer squash and zucchini, you’ll know by the size. Large summer squash and zucchini generally do not taste as great. In fact, if you happen to forget to check your plants and come outside to a 2-foot zucchini, then I always recommend zucchini bread! So harvest your squash and zucchini when they’re 6-10 inches long, depending on the variety.

Use a sharp paring knife to cut the squash away from the plant at the stem. Pulling or twisting the fruit off may result in dislodging the entire plant or breaking the stem off, exposing the inside of the squash. If this happens, just plan to use that squash as soon as possible.

For winter squash, which many typically grow on vines, read the seed package for how many days until harvest. You can also pay attention to the color of the fruit itself. Don’t harvest squash that hasn’t yet reached its proper coloring. For a full guide on harvesting and curing winter squash, check out this article from Savvy Gardening.

Storing and preserving squash

For summer squash and zucchini, they can be store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Be watchful for soft spots, especially on zucchini and try to use them within a week of harvesting.

For preserving squash and zucchini, I personally like to freeze it for use later. See my instructions for how to freeze zucchini (also works for squash). Canning and pickling squash and zucchini is a fun way to preserve them as well. Feasting at Home has an easy recipe for quick pickled squash. Check it out!

Winter squash varieties can typically be stored much longer if properly cured. Thinner skinned varieties, such as delicata, don’t tolerate long term storage as well as others. See the Savvy Gardening article above for full instructions on how to cure winter squash before storing.

Common squash pests and diseases

Alas, squash are not completely worry free. There are some pests and a few diseases that tend to gravitate toward these prolific producers. I do tend to stay away from chemical pesticides, and instead choose to handle pests with natural methods. My book Natural Pest Control for the Home Garden is a complete guide to handling pests in the vegetable garden without the use of chemical pesticides.

Squash and zucchini pests

  • Vine Squash Borers– These pests have been my personal nemesis for a few years, but the last two season have been so much better. This is mainly due to crop rotation and watching for eggs. The moths of this pest lay eggs near the base of squash plants. The eggs then hatch and the worm bores into the stem and eats its way up the plant. A healthy looking squash plant will suddenly look as though it hasn’t been watered in a week. See my full post on preventing squash vine borers.
  • Squash bugs– The name is fitting for these pests that enjoy squash, zucchini, and cucumber plants. Be on the lookout for these pests and their eggs on the underside of leaves. See this full guide on the Farmer’s Almanac site.

Squash diseases

  • Powdery Mildew– This condition appears on the leaves and looks like a fine white powder. Find out how to combat and prevent powdery mildew in my article here.
  • Downy Mildew– Though not an actual mildew like powdery mildew, downy mildew produces grayish spores on the underside of leaves. Pruning and good air flow can be preventatives for downy mildew.

FAQ’s on growing squash

Can squash and zucchini grow in containers? Yes, the summer varieties especially can be grown in containers. Be sure to use rich soil and to choose a container large enough for the size of the plants.

What other plants grow well with squash? The classic Three Sisters, the combination of corn, beans (which grow up the corn stalk), and squash or zucchini is a long-time favorite of gardeners.

I’d love to know your favorite variety of squash and zucchini to grow in the garden, as well as any tips you may have. Comment below and share your ideas!

How-to Grow Guides

Learn how to grow all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the home garden with my How to Grow guides!

How to Grow and Harvest Peanuts

How to Grow Cucumbers Vertically

How to Grow Potatoes at Home

How to Grow Garlic

How to Grow Pole Beans

How to Grow Peas

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Mason Jar Herb Planter

I love the idea of creating planters out of what we already have on hand. And mason jars always seem to be in abundance around here, thanks to a few boxes of hand-me-down jars. These particular mason jar herb planters were created with a local Cub Scout troop. The easy to plant herbs were the perfect centerpieces for their end of the year banquet, and I was able to teach them how to plant herbs!

Herb Planters without Holes

Though it is possible to drill holes in glass, it’s a difficult process that I usually don’t have time for. So how can you create a good environment for a plant without drainage holes? Use rocks.

I like to place rocks in the bottom of containers without holes, since they help the soil to not sit at the bottom of the container. Rocks also give extra water a place to sit until it’s soaked up by the soil, kind of like a miniature self-watering planter. (Create a self-watering planter here for a fabulous salad garden!)

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And while the rocks do add a bit of weight to the planter, this can be a good thing if you’re using these planters outside and a good gust of wind comes up. The rocks help to weigh the planter down, avoiding any broken glass.

What size mason jars for a planter

For this particular project, I chose quart mason jars, since the basil plants we had chosen were already a good size. If you’re using smaller plants, then you could get by with a pint jar. I personally like the wide mouth jars as well, since it gives more room to maneuver the plant into the jar.

Supplies for Mason Jar Herb Planter

How to Make a Mason Jar Herb Planter

  1. Begin by gathering the materials together, and gently place rocks at the bottom of the mason jar. Use enough rocks for them to create a 1-2 inch layer at the bottom. (Optional: Place a milkshake straw beside the rocks and have it come up and out of the jar. This straw can be used as a way to water the plant with a funnel.)

2. Fill jar halfway with potting soil (this may get messy!) and shake the jar gently to get the soil to settle.

3. Take the herb plant out of its original container and loosen up the roots. Gently place the plant inside the jar, adding more soil if the plant seems to sit too low in the jar. (We use basil for our jar planter, and did you know if you prune it, it will grow like crazy!)

4. Use the extra potting soil to fill in any gaps not filled in by the plant. Gently pat the soil around the plant to be sure it’s in the jar securely. Water the plant to ensure it’s properly hydrated.

5. Place jar in sunny location indoors or out or decorate with a ribbon or tag for a fun gift or centerpiece!

Fun Variations of the Herb Planter

  • Have kids paint the outside of the mason jar before or after planting as a wonderful Mother’s Day gift or birthday present.
  • Tie a tag around the top of the plant with a recipe that includes the herb in the jar.
  • Swap out the herb for any small plant, even a succulent!
  • Create a small mason jar herb garden like ours!
Yield: 1 Planter

Mason Jar Herb Planter

basil planted in mason jar

Create this fun and easy DIY Mason Jar Herb Planter with just a few supplies!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $5

Materials

  • 1 Quart Mason Jar
  • Potting Soil
  • Rocks
  • 1 Herb Plant
  • 1 Milkshake Straw (optional)

Tools

  • Small garden spade

Instructions

  1. Begin by placing rocks at the bottom of the jar. If you're planning to use the milkshake straw as a watering line, then add it along the inside of the jar now, too.
  2. Fill jar halfway with good quality potting soil, and gently shake jar to get soil to settle.
  3. Remove herb plant from its container and loosen the roots. Place the plant inside the jar. Remove and add more soil if the plant seems to sit too low.
  4. Fill in any gaps around the herb plant with the extra potting soil.
  5. Water plant, and place in a sunny spot indoors or out!
© Courtney
Project Type: DIY / Category: DIY Projects

I hope you found this tutorial helpful, and I’d love to know if you give this fun activity a try! Here are some other fun planters I’ve created tutorials for on The Kitchen Garten:

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Healthy Broccoli Salad

Broccoli salad is a southern staple and a personal favorite of my hubby. He requests it anytime of year, but I love to make it in the spring and fall when broccoli is in season. You should definitely try growing your own broccoli at home! I digress. This broccoli salad makes an attempt to be healthier and it is husband approved, which says a lot!

Lightening up broccoli salad

The regular version of broccoli salad comes complete with white sugar and a good bit of mayo. I’m not opposed to either of these things entirely, but if I still want to have dessert after dinner, I’d rather not blow all my calories and sugar during dinner, right?

So I swapped out some of the sugar for honey in my first attempt, and I liked that. For the second try I used a stevia blend called Pyure, and I loved those results. For full disclosure, I have used stevia for several years now, and this particular brand and pure stevia don’t leave any aftertastes for me. If it’s your first time using stevia, it may take some getting used to. Honey is a great option for those just wanted to avoid refined sugars.

Swapping out some of the mayo for greek yogurt is something I’ve been doing more and more in recipes, and I love it. The greek yogurt is lighter and typically has fewer ingredients, as well as some good bacteria!

Ingredients for healthier broccoli salad

How to make broccoli salad

  1. Begin by cooking your bacon until it’s good and crispy. Place bacon on a paper towel lined plate to cool.

2. Then chop your fresh broccoli and place it in a large bowl. Add in chopped onion, sunflower seeds, and raisins. Mix to combine.

3. In a 2 cup measuring cup, combine mayo, greek yogurt, vinegar, and sweetener or honey. Mix well.

4. Pour creamy dressing over broccoli mixture and stir until the dressing is coating the salad. Cover the salad and place in the fridge until ready to serve.

5. When ready to serve, top the healthy broccoli salad with bacon crumbles and mix. Enjoy!

Variations for broccoli salad recipe

  • Substitute agave nectar for the honey/sweetener
  • Use golden raisins instead of raisins or Craisins
  • Try a different type of nut or seed in place of the sunflower seeds
  • Swap bacon for turkey bacon for less fat
  • Add in fresh, chopped grapes for a sweet, juicy addition

How to store healthy broccoli salad

Store broccoli salad in the refrigerator covered. It actually tastes best after it’s been refrigerated for a few hours. Broccoli salad will stay fresh for 3-4 days, after that, the quality of the salad goes down, in my opinion.

I’d love to know if you have other variations for a lighter broccoli salad recipe, so feel free to leave a comment below! This is such a great salad for spring and summer cookouts, and I hope you and your family enjoy it!

Other Salad Recipes

Yield: 8 servings

Lightened Up Broccoli Salad

bacon topped broccoli salad in glass bowl

Broccoli salad is a spring and summer favorite with fresh broccoli, crunchy red onion, crispy bacon, and a homemade dressing that ties it all together. This healthier and lighter broccoli salad has less sugar and less mayo than traditional versions but still has all the flavor!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 7 cups broccoli
  • 1/2 cup raisins or craisins
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
  • 4 slices cooked bacon (crispy!)
  • 1/2 red onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup mayo (Dukes, of course)
  • 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 3 Tbsp honey or sweetener of choice

Instructions

    1. Begin by cooking your bacon until it's good and crispy. Place bacon on a paper towel lined plate to cool.
    2. Then chop your fresh broccoli and place it in a large bowl. Add in chopped onion, sunflower seeds, and raisins. Mix to combine.
    3. In a 2 cup measuring cup, combine mayo, greek yogurt, vinegar, and sweetener or honey. Mix well.
    4. Pour creamy dressing over broccoli mixture and stir until the dressing is coating the salad. Cover the salad and place in the fridge until ready to serve. (This salad actually does better if it has at least an hour to sit in the fridge before serving.)
    5. When ready to serve, top the salad with bacon crumbles and mix. Enjoy!

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 292Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 728mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 6gSugar: 19gProtein: 9g
© Courtney
Category: Salad Recipes

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How to Grow Broccoli

Broccoli kind of gets a bad rap, at least on tv, as being one of those gross green vegetables. Well, I’m here to tell you that it is one of the most delicious and nutritious vegetables you can grow in the home garden. I don’t know about you, but fresh broccoli is a staple veggie for my family. It is extremely versatile and can be eaten raw, fresh from the garden, or cooked up in a number of dishes from stir fry to soups. We actually love it roasted in the oven. Did you know that the leaves are also edible and nutritious? It’s true.

So now that you’re fully convinced to grow broccoli in your vegetable garden, let me give you all the details!

Health benefits of broccoli

  • As with many green vegetables, broccoli is packed full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This plant’s leaves, stalk, and undeveloped flower (what we call the head) is rich in vitamin K and C and is a good source of folate, potassium, and fiber.
  • Fun to grow, which is a proven health booster. Gardening in general is fabulous for your health.
  • Broccoli is such a familiar veggie, but many of us have never seen it grown. It is rewarding and fun to plant a seed, care for it, and bring in the harvest of nutritious, fresh produce.
  • Planting broccoli can also be a great teaching tool for kids to learn the parts of a plant. It is one of the few plants that we harvest and eat the unopened flower buds. (Want help introducing gardening and the parts of a plant to your kids or grandkids? Grab my free Kids Gardening Printables!)
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Growing broccoli: seeds or plants?

Seeds: There are several benefits to using seeds instead of plants, but a few drawbacks as well.

  • Less expensive to grow from seed.
  • Wide variety of both heirloom and hybrid seeds available that are very different from the conventional broccoli that from the store. (See the list of popular varieties at the bottom of this post.)
  • When you choose to plant seeds, you can experiment with several varieties including purple varieties or broccoli rabe!

Plants: Considering growing your broccoli from established plants from the store? Here are the pros and cons:

  • It’s super easy to use established plants 
  • Just starting out growing your own veggies, or don’t have time or knowledge to start from seed? Your best option would be to purchase established plants.
  • A big head start when you plant them in the ground versus using seeds. (So less time to wait before harvesting!)
  • Limited variety
  • More expensive. A 4-cell pack of broccoli plants can easily cost twice as much as a single packet of seeds which may contain 50-100 seeds.

How much broccoli should I grow?

People often wonder, how much broccoli do I need to plant to have enough for my family. Great question! Depending on the variety, and your growing season, you will want to plant about 2-3 plants per person in your family.

If your family is made of big time broccoli eaters, then consider growing more in succession. And depending on how you usually use your broccoli, stir fries versus steaming whole heads, you can choose a variety that suits your cooking needs. See my list at the bottom for popular varieties and what they’re best suited for.

When to grow broccoli

Broccoli is a cool-weather crop and is a vegetable that has the tendency to bolt, or go to seed, when it gets too hot. It is best to grow in the spring or fall when temperatures in your area remain between 40-70 degrees.

Broccoli is one of the earliest plants to grow in the early spring garden, and it’s also a fantastic fall garden choice. If you live in cooler climates, then your broccoli growing season could extend into summer, especially if you’re growing in an area with dappled light or partial shade. A homemade cold-frame could also give you the opportunity to grow broccoli year-round.

For southern growers, with super hot summers, be sure to take advantage of mild winters as a great time to grow broccoli as well. If you live in an area that has hardly any frosts in winter, then chances are you can grow broccoli all the way through the winter.

How to grow broccoli

Soil Conditions

Choose a planting site that will get full sun, 6-8 hours per day. Broccoli is also a heavy feeder, and likes well drained soil. They’re perfect to plant in a raised bed with compost amended soil. Use your own compost from home and consider adding in some rich animal compost, such as Black Kow.

When to start broccoli seeds

If you choose to grow broccoli from seed, start them indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, or outdoors 2-3 weeks before that date. For fall planting, which is best for warm climates, sow seeds outdoors 85-100 days before the first fall frost. Follow the planting instructions on the seed packet as a good rule of thumb, as there may be differences based on variety.

Spacing for broccoli plants

Transfer seedlings outdoors when they have 4-5 leaves (about 4-6 weeks). Space them 12-20 inches apart. If you direct sow in the fall, space seeds about 3 inches apart and thin to 12-20 inches when the plants are about 3 inches tall. (Not sure how to thin seedlings? I’ve got you covered!)

Fertilizing and feeding broccoli

Broccoli plants are heavy feeders, as mentioned above. So besides using compost-rich soil to grow your broccoli, apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer 3 weeks after transplanting seedlings into your garden.

This will help give them the boost they need to get growing and producing those beautiful and tasty heads of broccoli. Use a good quality fertilizer, like Espoma or Fox Farm.

Watering broccoli plants

It is important to keep the soil moist while broccoli is growing so the plants will not become stressed and susceptible to pests and disease. (Did you know that healthy plants are so much less likely to be attacked by pests? True story!)

Mulching around the plants will help retain moisture in the soil. Use a non-dyed mulch or pine straw to keep the moisture in. Also consider planting close together to keep the soil shaded. This will also help with weeds.

Using a drip irrigation system or a soaker hose with a timer is recommended since ground watering will help prevent rot on the developing heads. Water at least 1 to 1 ½ inches per week. And be sure to check the soil with your finger to make sure it is moist, but not soaking wet.

Should broccoli plants be pruned?

If you want one large head then it may be to your advantage to prune off the side shoots that develop. (Be sure to snack on those, too.) This will allow the plant to focus its energy on the main head.

On the other hand, it has been suggested to pinch out the developing central head about a month after transplanting in order to encourage several large side shoots instead of one main head and smaller shoots. Try it both ways and see which method works best for you. And as always, feel free to leave a comment about the method that has worked best for you!

broccoli plant with small broccoli head growing
Our fall broccoli plant, just starting to produce.

When to harvest broccoli

For best quality, harvest your broccoli while the head is still tight and before the yellow flower buds begin to open. To harvest, make a slanted cut with a sharp knife a few inches down the stem to remove the head. This allows water to run off and not pool which can cause the plant to rot.

If you can leave the plant healthy and in place, then there’s always the chance for more harvests from the side shoots of the plant. This is especially true for stir fry broccoli varieties.

How to store fresh broccoli

Broccoli will stay fresh in your fridge for about 5 days. If you choose to wash it before storing, make sure you take the time to dry the broccoli properly.

Another option is to freeze your broccoli for longer storage. If you have a large crop that you want to save for those winter months, simply blanch your broccoli and store in the freezer for up to a year. (The process is similar to how we Freeze Green Beans.)

Common broccoli pests and diseases

The first line of defense against pests and diseases is always a healthy plant. Make sure your broccoli is getting the right amount of water and nutrients to keep it strong and less susceptible to attack. Want to keep all of your pest control natural? Check out my complete guide to natural pest control.

Pests and Natural Treatments:

  • Curling leaves could be a sign of the presence of aphids.  Check the backs of leaves for tiny bugs present. Aphids can be dealt with by spraying them off with water or applying soapy water to all sides of the leaves.
  • Flea beetles are tiny black bugs that chew small holes in the leaves of plants. Full grown plants can usually withstand flea beetles, but seedlings are going to suffer the most damage from this pest. Make sure to protect them row covers or try using a neem oil spray to keep the flea beetles at bay.
  • Cabbage looper, cabbage worm, and diamondback moth larvae also feed on the leaves. One way to prevent these pests from ruining your crop is to use an insect barrier (row cover) to cover your plants. See my full post on cabbage worms and the methods I use to protect all of my brassicas from this pest.

Broccoli diseases and treatments:

  • One way to prevent disease is to buy your seed/ plants from a reliable source. It is possible for seeds to arrive already infected. So be sure to check the leaves and roots of a plant before bringing it home. And if you get a plant home and realize there’s root rot (black roots), please take it back and exchange it for a healthy plant.
  • To prevent the fungus called clubroot you should use a four year crop rotation strategy. Meaning don’t plant broccoli, or any member of the cabbage family (Brassica), in the same soil year after year. One recommendation is to rotate your crops according to “family” on a four year schedule. Leaf (including Barassica), fruit (like tomato), root (think carrots or beets), then legume.

Companion plants for broccoli

  • Plant marigolds nearby to help prevent the cabbage moth from destroying your broccoli.
  • These aromatic herbs/plants can help repel common garden pests: garlic, mint, basil, rosemary, thyme, and dill.
  • Since broccoli is a heavy feeder, consider planting them further away from asparagus, cantaloupe, sweet corn, pumpkin and watermelon, which will compete for nutrients. 
  • Other plants to avoid planting near broccoli include beans, eggplant, mustard greens, tomatoes, pepper, squash, and strawberries.

Popular varieties of broccoli

Di Ciccio Heirloom broccoli– Old world Italian favorite

Waltham 29 broccoli– The variety of broccoli that Thomas Jefferson grew in his garden!

Calabrese Heirloom broccoli– One of the most popular home broccoli varieties

stir fry broccoli in a wood raised bed garden
Stir fry broccoli in our fall garden

Broccoli Growing FAQ’s

Can broccoli grow in containers?

If you don’t have the ability to plant your broccoli in the ground, you can transfer your seedlings into pots, one in each 5 gallon container. Remember, they are heavy feeders.

How do you save broccoli seed?

If you want to save seed, simply allow one of your plants to bolt. After the flowering, the plant will form seed pods. When the pods are fully developed, remove the entire plant and hang to dry for 2 weeks. Then crush the pods open and remove the seeds (warning: the seeds are very small so use do it over a white paper to be able to see them better).

What does it mean when my broccoli plant blooms?

This process, called bolting or going to seed, usually happens at the end of the season, or if broccoli is grown in too warm of temperatures. I encourage you to leave blooming plants for the bees, as this is a great source of food for them. Our broccoli stays in the raised beds all winter, and in late winter, the yellow blooms bring in dozens of bees.

How soon after cutting should broccoli be used?

Broccoli fresh from the garden can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

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DIY Vegetable Garden Markers

Adding garden markers to the vegetable garden is an easy way to dress up the space and to help you identify what you’ve planted where. This is especially true when plants are small or seeds have just been sown. These DIY vegetable garden markers are a fun craft for the whole family, and they repurpose things you may already have on hand.

Repurposed Garden Markers

I love to take things we already have on hand and make them into something useable. My first set of garden markers used old knives and spoons as chalkboard garden markers, and we have gotten a lot of use out of those. But I was looking for a fun activity for the kids, and one that didn’t involve spray paint and was more colorful.

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These repurposed garden markers use can lids (or old Mason jar lids if you’re in a pinch). So, you’re repurposing something that would have gone into the recycling bin (at best) or the trash (at worst). And this easy garden craft can easily be complete in an afternoon, with a bit of time for the paint to dry. So give your kiddos free reign over their vegetable artwork (and if Grandma or Grandpa is a gardener, then what a fun gift these would make!)

Garden Marker Supplies

How to Make Homemade Garden Markers

  • Begin by gathering all of your supplies except for the hangers (pins).
  • Using a sharpie, create outlines for your artwork. This doesn’t have to look perfect, and if your kids will be painting them, then they will appreciate an outline.
  • Fill in the outlines with paint using small paint brushes. Then embellish or decorate around them with dots or swirls, anything you want to add!
green paint on can lid garden markers
  • Allow to dry. Add a second coat if necessary.
  • Using a thick nail and hammer, tap a hole in the top of each marker. Work the nail around in the hole to make sure it’s smooth and as large as possible.
Can lid garden markers on wood block
  • (Optional) Coat markers in a light coating of sealer to make them more weather resistant.
  • Using long nose pliers, cut lengths of wire coat hangers and bend to make hooks for your garden markers.
  • Place in the ground and enjoy!
Painted garden marker on metal stake

DIY Garden Gift

These cute garden markers are a great craft for kids, and they make a fun gift for them to give to friends and family members who enjoy gardening!

Some other DIY Garden Gift ideas:

Yield: 8 Markers

DIY Vegetable Garden Markers

vegetable garden marker in garden

Add some fun and whimsy to your vegetable or flower garden with these fun DIY garden markers. Made from repurposed can lids (or Mason jar tops), this kid-friendly garden art project is perfect for spring, and they make a wonderful DIY garden gift.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 25 minutes
Additional Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Difficulty Moderate
Estimated Cost $5

Materials

  • Can lids (we use a can opener that creates smooth lid edges, no cuts here!)
  • Acrylic Paint (this small paint pot set was perfect)
  • Water (for washing brushes)
  • Paper Towels (for wiping brushes)
  • Sealer (optional for longevity outdoors)
  • Wire Coat Hangers or Landscape Pins

Tools

  • paint brushes
  • long nose pliers

Instructions

    1. Begin by gathering all of your supplies except for the hangers (pins).
    2. Using a sharpie, create outlines for your artwork. This doesn’t have to look perfect, and if your kids will be painting them, then they will appreciate an outline.
    3. Fill in the outlines with paint using small paint brushes. Then embellish or decorate around them with dots or swirls, anything you want to add!
    4. Allow to dry. Add a second coat if necessary.
    5. Using a thick nail and hammer, tap a hole in the top of each marker. Work the nail around in the hole to make sure it’s smooth and as large as possible.
    6. (Optional) Coat markers in a light coating of sealer to make them more weather resistant.
    7. Using long nose pliers, cut lengths of wire coat hangers and bend to make hooks for your garden markers.
    8. Place in the ground and enjoy!

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© Courtney
Project Type: DIY / Category: Crafts

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