A most impatient gardener

Our cool season edibles are coming along at a snail’s pace. We can raise vegetables year-round in our mild, Menlo Park climate, but things are definitely growing a lot slower than in the summer.

These brassicas look unassuming enough, but I’ve been keeping a close eye on the ones in the row closest to the camera.

They finally looked like they were forming heads, so I reached my grubby hands down to peel back the center leaves of one of the plants. Sure enough, the most beautiful head is taking shape. Growing food is so magical, especially when the vegetables look like this.

This is a variety of broccoli known as “romanesco.” This is the first time I’ve grown it. Hopefully I can keep my hands off it long enough for it to reach full maturity.