Soft Rot

OK, enough all ready. We've had enough rain, how bouts some nice, dry, warm summer like weather?!

It's been a horrible spring here in New England weather wise. We've had more rain and cold days than I care to count. One plus is that everyone's lawn looks fantastic and alive; nice and dark green. However, too much rain can be problematic also. Take for example our broccoli - the plants themselves look great, nice, big and full. However, the conditions have been perfect for a disease called "Soft Rot", see picture below.

Soft rot of broccoli is brought on by long periods of wet weather. The results are a watery and slimy rot with an offending rotten odor. This condition also attracts a surprisingly large numbers of flies, which seem to enjoy dining on the slim. It's so bad that even our domestic rabbits, which typically love and devour broccoli, won't even touch it!

I was lucky enough to pick one smaller broccoli head before the rot arrived and let me tell you, it was DELICIOUS! Also, if I remember correctly last year each broccoli plant produced a second, smaller head following the initial harvesting . Perhaps, this will happen again this year - only time will tell.