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Flower Power Update: The Broccoli Has Not Seen the Spreadsheet

by: Jill Richardson

Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 13:28:51 PM PST


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To coordinate the large number of plants I've got growing, and to figure out what I'll be harvesting when, I've created a large spreadsheet. I've listed every single plant that I am currently growing or intend to grow, organized by family. Then I've listed how long each plant takes to sprout and to grow to maturity, as well as how many weeks of harvest to expect. Here's a picture:

Key: P = Plant, S = Sprout, T = Transplant, H = Harvest

Well, I've got quite a bit of broccoli growing at present. And according to the spreadsheet, it should be pretty darn close to harvest. Twelve more days or so, and I should have some ready to eat broccoli. Only, the broccoli does not seem to think so. Here is a picture of the broccoli:

I commented to my boyfriend that the broccoli should be ready in about 2 weeks.

He said, "That broccoli does not look like it will be ready in 2 weeks."

Me: "Well, the spreadsheet says it should be ready in 2 weeks."

BF: "Has the broccoli seen the spreadsheet?"

Me: "No, but I have a laptop. I will go out to the garden and show the broccoli the spreadsheet and then explain that it must grow faster."

Gah! Why does the gardening book tell me that broccoli only requires 8-9 weeks to grow to maturity???
Jill Richardson :: Flower Power Update: The Broccoli Has Not Seen the Spreadsheet
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Flower Power Update: The Broccoli Has Not Seen the Spreadsheet | 39 comments
To any gardeners (4.00 / 5)
looking at my spreadsheet... you're not supposed to plant brussel sprouts in San Diego this time of year if you want to eat brussel sprouts. But you can plant it if you want to eat foliage and you don't mind that the actual sprouts will be all full of aphids when they finally grow. If you want brussel sprouts in San Diego, you plant them in September.

Also, I'm revising my broccoli estimated harvest date. I'm going to assume it will take 10 weeks to grow, not 8.

"I can understand someone from Iowa promoting corn and soy, but we are not feeding the world, we are feeding animals and soft drink companies." - Jim Goodman

Did you grow it from seed or transplants? (4.00 / 6)
I'm just wondering if that "8 weeks to maturity" means eight weeks AFTER transplanting?

 I honestly can't remember exactly, but in my Iowa garden last year, I planted out transplants I grew myself,in early April. I'm sure I didn't get any heads till June...

 

[ Parent ]
I think you're right (4.00 / 4)
For things that are commonly transplanted that's got to be it. I'm looking at a packet of Pobalno pepper seed and it says approximately 80 days to maturity, which can't be right, because it takes around 3 weeks just for the seed to germinate, leaving somewhere in the neighborhood of 60 days, give or take, for the plant to mature to the point of making fruit, which takes more time to get big enough to harvest.

Here's a good planting guide that gives dates from planting seed in some cases to maturity dates from transplant. In the case of your broccoli, it says 60-80 days from transplant, which adds more time onto the maturity date from planting seed.

Also, when you plant the seed (time of year) will determine how fast or slow things will grow, even if you have them in a warm area.

Last year dad planted his tomato seed in pots in the house in February. I, on the other hand, having my fancy schmancy greenhouse, decided to plant the first week in March. Dad said it was too late to start tomato seed, and he was horrified when I started yet more seed the first week in April.

I observed some very interesting things. While dad's tomato plants were taller than mine, I actually harvested my first ripe tomatos a bit earlier than he did, which surprised both him and me. The harvest wasn't a whole lot earlier, just a week or so, enough for bragging rights. But the plants were very different in age. Some of his were as much as 2 months older. Which puts the lie to some of the date to maturity business, as I know now that it depends on when the seed is planted, what the lighting is like (daylight/darkness ratio) and temperatures, both daytime and nightime. Also, the plants I started seed for in March yielded fruit a bit later than the ones I started seed for in April.

The March plants had a bit of a handicap though. I removed them from the greenhouse too early and they got stunted by cool weather. I figured they were pretty much a loss, and ignored them until mid April, when I had room in the greenhouse. By this time it was around 80 degrees every day in there, and when I put them back in and gave them a little taste of Miracle Gro they perked right up and grew with a vengance.

This year, with heat in the greenhouse, I'm going to start tomato seed in March again, but I know better than to take the plants out untill May. So I'm going to see how far I can push the envelope on jump starting the season.

Regarding locavores as elitists - explain to me how supporting local business is elitist....

[ Parent ]
Montana guide (4.00 / 4)
Yeah, the Montana guide says for broccoli, 60-80 days after transplanting. For Montana, I suppose, don't know about San Diego in winter.

Extra-interesting post, Joanne. Facts are so nutritious!

[ Parent ]
I grew it from seed nt (4.00 / 4)


"I can understand someone from Iowa promoting corn and soy, but we are not feeding the world, we are feeding animals and soft drink companies." - Jim Goodman
[ Parent ]
Lol... (4.00 / 5)
Ready to take my advice yet?  How we used to do 'dings back home.  You want me to stop by the broccoli, do a little convincin'?  Ay, fugheddaboutit.

I'll make an offer it can't refuse.  Heh...

Coming soon to a Philadelphia near you!

Sounds too "Old Vegas" for me... (4.00 / 3)
Maybe the broccoli is just trying a "New Vegas" trick: holding out until Harrah's pays it enough money to grow! :-p

Act on Principles and make equality happen.
[ Parent ]
Speaking of that (4.00 / 3)
I heard MGM decided to wave bye-bye to Atlantic City, opting to stay in Macao instead.
[ Parent ]
IMHO New Jersey gaming regulators are being VERY STUPID here... (4.00 / 2)
They made a mountain out of a molehill, threatened them to basically pick either them or Macau... And they're surprised that they're leaving for greener pastures? And at a time when a number of other Northeast states (like Pennsylvania) are loosening their anti-gambling laws and Florida (!!!!) is even considering beachfront casinos, it makes no economic sense for New Jersey to scare away big casino operators like MGM Mirage.

Act on Principles and make equality happen.
[ Parent ]
I don't know... (4.00 / 2)
No offense, but imo the sooner all casinos leave New Jersey (and everywhere, for that matter) the better.  I'm not a fan of their business model, along with lotteries and other forms of gambling (hello, Oregon Video Lottery!) which prey on the poor and desperate.

If they must exist, they'd be best left concentrated in one or two places, like Las Vegas.  Atlantic City shouldn't have ever been one of those places in the first place.  They screwed themselves by becoming so dependent on one so-called "industry" in the first place.

Coming soon to a Philadelphia near you!

[ Parent ]
But what does AC do now? (4.00 / 2)
Not that long ago, I would have agreed with you on gambling being inherently evil... But I guess moving to Vegas has given me a different perspective. Sure, our economy is overdependent on gaming. However, it's become a vital piece of our economic puzzle and I can't see Nevada ever surviving without it.

It seems Atlantic City is in a similar situation. I mean, why else would one go to Atlantic City?

Just about any type of entertainment based economy can be trashed as "evil". Hollywood preys on kids with music and movies. Orlando preys on kids with theme parks. Silicon Valley preys on kids with video games and other funky electronics.

And Atlantic City & Las Vegas prey on adults with gambling.

At least Vegas offers more with restaurants, shopping, nightclubs, and big star shows. IMHO AC needs to clean up its act and offer more entertainment options to prevent bleeding any more East Coast market share.

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

[ Parent ]
You've got some good points (4.00 / 3)
and at least in Vegas, the payoff is set higher than it is on the games that Oregon runs.

Regarding locavores as elitists - explain to me how supporting local business is elitist....
[ Parent ]
Well, my eyes aren't closed... (4.00 / 2)
And to be honest, I feel a little ashamed right now. Jay does have a valid point on preying on the poor and desperate. The casino executives won't ever admit to this, but we all know there are loads of people filling casinos all over this country that can't really afford to be there.

But again, how much help will it be for the government to "just say no" for us and how much of this can be alleviated by empowering more people to show some self-control and take power over their own finances?

One lesson I ALWAYS teach all my friends and family when they come to visit me in Vegas is to SET A BUDGET FOR PLAYING and don't exceed it. We are better managers of our money than the casinos, and we need to remember this. And honestly, I do think both state governments and private non-profits need to step up their game and invest more in gambling addiction treatment programs and efforts to prevent more people from becoming gambling addicts.

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

[ Parent ]
self-control (4.00 / 2)
No populace that supports gambling revenue over responsible taxation ever will show self control in front of a slot machine. The concept of personal responsibility eludes these people.

I am crazy with admiration of the Oregonians who voted for 66 and 67. I despise Maryland politicians.

[ Parent ]
I dunno... (4.00 / 2)
While a number of people in Nevada do have gambling problems, most of us are able to handle it. Again, it's important to consider it entertainment and NOT a "get rich quick plan".

Act on Principles and make equality happen.
[ Parent ]
me too... (4.00 / 1)
most of us are able to handle it

I handle it by not doing it. Much better safe than sorry, in this case.

[ Parent ]
Maryland gambling (4.00 / 2)
I decry basing a government on gambling revenue instead of taxes, in general.

But...

The payout is 50% for all Maryland state-owned-and-operated gambling. It's pernicious, nauseating, unprincipled, and malevolently destructive. No illegal Maryland racketeer ever took 50%.

I despise politicians who support this crap.

Hmmm. How did we stray so far from broccoli?

[ Parent ]
Well, farming's kinda like gambling..... ;-) (4.00 / 4)
Actually, farming's a lot like gambling. Like playing poker, Texas Holdem poker..... Hey, now, that sound's like a subject that Baxter Black could wax eloquent on.

;-P

Regarding locavores as elitists - explain to me how supporting local business is elitist....

[ Parent ]
Blame me... ;-P (4.00 / 2)
Hmmm. How did we stray so far from broccoli?

Things sometimes get crazy when I'm around.  For better or worse...

;-P

Coming soon to a Philadelphia near you!

[ Parent ]
It's all your fault, Jay. Did you even eat your broccoli today? :-p (4.00 / 2)
Or do we have to send a broccoli filled food cart your way? hehe

Act on Principles and make equality happen.
[ Parent ]
Nope, no broccoli today... (4.00 / 1)
There's still months to go before we see any 'round here!

:(

Saw some cauliflower at the People's Farmers' Market last week, though.  $5 a pound, way too rich for my blood these days so I passed.  Some cream of cauliflower soup certainly would have been nice, though!

Coming soon to a Philadelphia near you!

[ Parent ]
Broccoli is one of the plant seeds I've got going in the greenhouse (4.00 / 2)
When it comes up you can have some. I've started them for greens, but still mighty tasty!

Regarding locavores as elitists - explain to me how supporting local business is elitist....
[ Parent ]
Thanks! (4.00 / 1)
:)

Coming soon to a Philadelphia near you!
[ Parent ]
? (4.00 / 2)
Why would someone go to Atlantic City?

Why would someone to to Wildwood, Rehoboth Beach, Ocean City, Kitty Hawk, Myrtle Beach...?

[ Parent ]
Well, let's face it... (3.67 / 3)
Not many people do go to those places off-season. Still, I (and many other people) wonder if AC could have chosen a better way develop.
[ Parent ]
The story of all of our cities... (4.00 / 2)
Some industries are good, some are bad.  Some produce wealth, some just shift it around.  

Atlantic City panicked when the tourists stopped coming, and NJ failed to consider future consequences in favor of (very) short-term gains.  AC basically became a colonial outpost dependent upon the whims of Philadelphia and NYC millionaires for its very survival.  Not a smart way to run a city.

Atlantic City is historically comparable to Asbury Park; only take away the hotels and the casinos, and Asbury Park is doing much better than Atlantic City these days.  Asbury Park suffered a lot longer, but it's now coming back again as a strong, diversified, working real city.  If I had a choice to live in one, well... it isn't even a choice.

Three blocks off the boardwalk in Atlantic City, and you're almost in a third-world country.  Gaming hasn't done much for the real people of Atlantic City, outside of those who've gotten jobs at hotels and casinos.  But Atlantic City still has one of the most beautiful beaches in the US, an educated population, a relatively high population density, and great location near two of the country's biggest cities and on the ocean.  AC can be a leader in the new manufacturing economy we'll soon need, if only they'd stop relying on soulless multinational corporations to prop up their current sole "industry".

Coming soon to a Philadelphia near you!

[ Parent ]
But can AC's problems be blamed on gambling? (4.00 / 2)
Or can we say AC politicians and casino developers didn't think out a comprehensive plan like Vegas has? For all our problems now, we're still at a better place than we were in 2000 and we're certainly in a better place now than we were in 1990 and 1980.

What AC needs is a comprehensive redevelopment plan. They probably should do something to diversify their economy, but at the end of the day tourism will still be big for AC so they need to step it up to prevent losing any more market share. Clean up downtown. Make the neighborhoods around the casinos safer...

Basically, AC should feel free to take some queues from Las Vegas' downtown revitalization efforts. :-)

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

[ Parent ]
Actually, yeah... (0.00 / 0)
It's all related, in that they saw gambling as the "magic bullet".  I certainly agree that AC needs a new plan, and gambling does not belong in that plan.  

Atlantic City doesn't have a downtown to clean up.  It's a shore town, the boardwalk is 'downtown'.  The worst criminals are those up in the hotel suites.  The old residential urban core neighborhoods are where the livability problems are, and they've been ignored by the city and the state for decades now, in favor of the casino and hotel operators who demand tax breaks, special consideration, code exemptions, etc etc...

As I've said above, I'm not opposed to legalized gambling.  I just think that it should be concentrated in a small number of places, so that those who can afford to engage in it can go to it.  

But bringing legalized gambling to every American is going to prove disastrous, if it hasn't already.  And as count said above, it's even worse when states rely on gambling revenue to fund government.  Our tax dollars go to bombs, and our schools have to rely on lotteries?

Coming soon to a Philadelphia near you!

[ Parent ]
I agree with you on the gambling (4.00 / 3)
even though I've been the beneficiary of gambling myself. Harold has the touch when it comes to those machines. I've sat and watched him play Oregon's machines. He does indeed seem to have the touch. But most people aren't like that. My sister in law's mom lost a lot, and I mean A LOT! of money over the course of a few months on the Oregon machines, and Harold knows more than one person who's lost a substantial portion of their life savings to Oregon's video poker machines.

As far as preying on the poor and desperate though, I don't think they prey on them any more than the investment bankers and other scam artists do. Remember that old saying? "Don't steal, the government hates competition".

I don't bother playing any of those things because I know that it's a rigged game. The machines are set to pay off on a percentage, same with the pull tabs. I did have a system to work those, but it wasn't gambling when I did it as there was pretty much a gauranteed payoff. It was just work and cashing in the winning tickets.

Regarding locavores as elitists - explain to me how supporting local business is elitist....

[ Parent ]
To be honest... (4.00 / 3)
I don't even go to bars much anymore, because of how depressing it is to see the three or four zombies a few feet away constantly feeding their money into the video machines, with an occasional swear muttered, or a loud palm slap on the table.

As far as preying on the poor and desperate though, I don't think they prey on them any more than the investment bankers and other scam artists do.

And we shouldn't make excuses for any of them, should we?  I certainly don't.

Coming soon to a Philadelphia near you!

[ Parent ]
Exactly. (4.00 / 1)
That's exactly my experience. When I used to spend a lot of time in Kalispell, Montana, not all restaurants had gambling, so I had choices, and I definitely never knowingly chose to patronize a place that had gambling. The sight is too depressing.
[ Parent ]
Sometimes this just takes time... (4.00 / 3)
Hopefully by March you'll have some broccoli ready to eat. Perhaps this wacky winter weather is altering its growth?

Act on Principles and make equality happen.
It's the weather. (4.00 / 4)
Don't worry about it. Those broccolis will perk right up as soon as this six feet of snow is gone.

Say, why doesn't that photo show any snow on the ground?

Heh... (4.00 / 4)
I'm guessing you probably noticed the "average highs and lows" on the spreadsheet, too?  Even makes me jealous, and shit it's actually been nice (dry, 50-ish, if even mostly gray and cloudy) here lately!

Coming soon to a Philadelphia near you!
[ Parent ]
State of emergency... (4.00 / 3)
Have they shut things down by you?  I just talked to my mother, and there's an official "state of emergency" there.  No one but cops and firefighters allowed on the roads out there...

Coming soon to a Philadelphia near you!
[ Parent ]
"There" being Jersey, of course... (4.00 / 3)
...

Coming soon to a Philadelphia near you!
[ Parent ]
I don't know if it's official (4.00 / 3)
but police and fire spokespeople have been on the airwaves, talking about how difficult their jobs are just because people don't stay home. My son the cop called a couple of nights ago complaining about dumb pedestrians walking in the middle of the street getting hit by dumb drivers.
[ Parent ]
At 3 a.m. last night (4.00 / 3)
firefighters in one house awoke to find their station afire. Real disaster, too. Nobody hurt, but station destroyed and a lot of equipment lost. They did get one truck out of the house, which they used to extinguish the blaze.
[ Parent ]
Do you have an "actual" tracking (4.00 / 2)
for High/Lows on your SS and sun vs clouds/rain? You may want to track that for current and future ref. We had 3 weeks of below avg temps (hello wind chills!) etc, so the avg doesn't matter, reality does :) El Nino yrs may be dif than the past few dry fire years for maturity in growing right now. Do you know (do they say) ideal conditions for reaching maturity? Have you checked into the tunnel type of growing for early planting?

Heck, I'm jealous that you have broccoli sprouting. A snow plow is passing under my window right now . . .  

Flower Power Update: The Broccoli Has Not Seen the Spreadsheet | 39 comments
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