Veg Update (Kale,Broccoli, Rhubarb)

Kale 'Nero di Toscana'

I'm relatively new to growing veg. This year I grew kale and broccoli for the first time. Growing veg I often find myself asking questions like:

"When is it ready to eat?" "When is it inedible?"
"Is that the way it should look?" etc.

A few more questions below...

Above: Is it normal for kale to have a long 'trunk' like this? Suppose I pick leaves from the bottom so naturally this shape results?
You might also spot my poor little leeks in this photo - quite small!

Kale starting to flower - does this mean it's no longer good for eating? 

Above: Kale Curly Scarlet - plenty of this in the veg box.
I have to admit I'm not too keen on the texture when its cooked.
Under the kale, you might spot celeriac leaves (which I should have harvested ages ago).

Above: Broccoli forever flowering!
My first year growing broccoli. I harvested very little before it began flowering. I've left it to flower, which it has been doing for months! I have to admit - I do like the flowers!

Rhubarb is starting to emerge!

Blogger's Bloom Day (Snapdragon Snap Back)

The first Daffodil flower!

It's Bloggers' Bloom Day - the 15th of every month. Spring is in the air and the bulbs are coming up full force.

Here's what's blooming this month (many of which were blooming last month)...

Poached Egg / Limnanthes keeps flowering, although it is really yearning for summer (when it has a prolific show of flowers). 

Crocus coming up in between some Poached Egg foilage.

Purple crocus coming up amongst the leaves.

Muscari is still in flower. I noticed some bulbs flowering in December and have had staggered flowering through Feb (and possibly beyond).

Heather - above and below.

Christmas Cactus

Yes, this is Snapdragon. I did a double-take when I noticed this looked to be flowering. Most of the Snapdragon never died down over the Winter. Some of the plants seem to be starting to flower. I think this is strange. 

Looking to flower? Antirrhinum (Snapdragon) 'Intermediate Mixed', (Half Hardy Annual), planted outside May/June 2011, left over Winter, and making a come back!

Snowdrops - a favourite this time of year!
Daffodil coming up around the snowdrops.

For more on blogger's bloom day check out http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2012/02/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-february-2012.html

Going Organic

Even though I aim to grow organically, I'm not sure I'd fully pass an organic test (I'll keep striving towards this!).

For example, I've never really thought about buying organic seed until more recently. This is something I aim to do in the future. I was at my local garden centre and noticed a large display of organic seeds - great to see! I'd also like to begin to use heritage seed.

I've also realised that some of the feed I've purchased in the past hasn't been organic. So, when I spotted some feed half price in the garden centre I decided I had to have it. I'm a big fan of organic chicken manure pellets too!

At Linda's 'Slow Growing in Scotland' I came across a link to Garden Organic; some good info on growing organically and on heritage seeds.

Final purchase.... when I spotted this... I was really excited. I believe it was Sue at 'Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments' that first mentioned to me about a gel that could be put around pots to keep slugs from climbing up them. I'll be trying this organic gel this year to keep slugs off some of my container veg. Fingers crossed it'll help curtail the slugs / snails.


What are your views on going organic??