My broccoli has an EXTREME aphid infestation and although it is very, very bad, they stay on the broccoli (which has gone to bloom) and don't bother my other plants. As gross as the aphids are, my broccoli also houses a very happy, lovely colony of bumble bees, like 60 or seventy! They are so pretty and not aggressive and I can hear them buzzing, as there are so many!! My problem is I don't want the aphids to spread to my other plants on one hand, but on the other, I don't want the bees to leave either. Can I remove the broccoli? Or is it better to just them stay so the bees stay too?? Thanks!
Try neem oil. Not only is it safe to use on plants, but it's an effective treatment against these types of pests. It will eradicate bad bugs but will not harm the good ones, like bees. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/pests/neem-oil-uses.htm
When is it too late to thin your garden? We probably should have thinned our broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage months ago. Can we still go ahead and thin them even though it's the middle of August?
Yes, you can thin whenever it is needed. However, if the plants are somewhat large, take care in pulling them up so as not to cause damge to the roots of nearby plants you wish to keep.
I am freezing broccoli and didn't soak it in salt water before blanching it. I found small green worms in it when I was cooling it. I've never had a problem with worms or insects, which is why I didn't use the salt water. I've cleaned the broccoli three times and I think all the worms are out. Is it okay to freeze and eat it? I want to serve it over the holidays so I certainly don't want it to taste bad or have worms. Thank you.
Yes, it should be fine. When you are ready to eat some, just soak the broccoli in a bowl of salted water to pull any additional insects out of the broccoli. Let it sit in the salty water for 15 minutes. Rinse well and cook as you like.
I left for vacation and when I came back my broccoli started growing beans. Are they edible, what are they, and what can I use them for?
Your plant has bolted, or gone to seed. When it goes to seed, it sends up a shoot high above the head of broccoli plant. That shoot has pods coming off that resemble pea pods. While you could eat them, they wouldn't be very tasty. It's best to just chunk the plants and start over. Here is more information that should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/broccoli/bolting-broccoli-growing-broccoli-in-hot-weather.htm
Our broccoli plants keep getting green worms on them. How can we get ride of them naturally?
In addition to using Bt in the garden for worms and caterpillar pests, you can try neem oil. Both are safe to use. These article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/broccoli/worms-in-broccoli-caterpillars-in-the-broccoli-head.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/using-bacillus-thuringiensis.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/pests/neem-oil-uses.htm
I have just started my first vegetable garden. My broccoli plants have given me a couple of heads and are now starting to flower. Do I just cut the flowering down and leave in the earth for more crops, or is it now done and needs to be taken outand replaced with new plant?
Broccoli does not regrow after harvesting, and once it begins flowering, the plant is no longer any good as far as being edible. You may as well go ahead and pull the plants as they need to be replanted each year. If you still have suitable weather, you can replant some now for a late crop.
I have broccoli seedlings that I am just testing out but have noticed that some leaves have these white dots with purple blotching. Could you tell me if this is some sort of disease and what can I use to fix the problem?
This is a nutritional issue.
Here is a link with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/leaves-turning-reddish-purple.htm