Purple Sprouting Broccoli

Last year I picked up starts of Purple Sprouting Broccoli in early Spring at the Berkeley Farmer's Market.  It turns out that this variety of broccoli usually needs to overwinter before it forms heads.  I had six very tall, leafy plants, and I grew inpatient last summer and fall when no heads formed.  I ended up feeding the chickens four of the six plants, however I left two in the ground through the "winter."  (We've had an incredibly dry and mild winter this year.)

Much to my surprise, the two plants that have overwintered are now forming purple sprouting heads.  This purple broccoli forms many smaller heads all over the plant, as you can see in the following photos:

We picked some of the heads last night and enjoyed them with dinner. The purple heads turn green when they are cooked. The taste was very good!

California Concord Grapes

We have planted some new grapevines right in front of the chicken coop. I think that they will provide some shade during hot summer days, but also they may prove rather tempting to the ladies. Here's a photo of some of the grape buds. Looks like we will be able to try out some of these grapes later this summer (if the hens don't get them first).

Another Peek

Above is another peek at that same head of cauliflower. It is amazing that it grew so well. We had some for dinner and it was so very tender: I haven't had such fresh cauliflower before.