Bitter Broccoli

Well, I tried and failed. The broccoli is bitter. I have been watching my plants grow and grow and grow. When two of the crowns were finally hinting that they were ready, Michael and I went into the garden, sharp tool in hand, and harvested our first attempt. Bitter. Not a little bitter... inedibly bitter. I am eating Nestle white chocoloate chips right now to neutralize the bitter after taste that has lingered for more than half an hour. (I think that the bitter taste may be receeding, but heck, the white chocolate is delicious... better be safe than sorry... keep eating!) I did some google searching and realized that in the heat, green cool weather veggies like broccoli will suffer into bitterness. I saw a great tip, however, take the first frost date of the year, subtract the number of days to maturity for the plant, subtract 1 more week for good measure and plant later in the season than otherwise inclined to do. This makes sense. Let the young plant dance in the heat and sun of July and August and mature in the cool relief of September. Live and learn. Too late for this year, but next year we will give it a go.