The cole crops in my vegetable garden, some photos from yesterday
The vegetable garden is growing beautifully at the farm and I thought you might like to see a corner of the patch where the cole crops, have been planted. ‘Cole’ refers to any of the various plants belonging to the Cruciferae family. There is much variety and we’ve already begun to harvest some of these amazingly healthful vegetables. 
Cruciferous is the scientific name given to a group of vegetables
including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, turnips, kale, collard
greens, broccoli rabe, and brussels sprouts. Research has shown that
by eating a lot of these vegetables you may significantly reduce your
risk of various types of cancers. Named for the cross-shaped flowers
they bear, crucifers contain a wide variety of disease-fighting
antioxidants and phytochemicals – including carotenoids, vitamin C, and
indoles, which scientists believe may stave off the growth of cancerous
cells in the stomach, colon, and lungs. Dark collard greens, kale, and
turnip greens are packed with calcium as well; and brussels sprouts are
filled with iron. In addition, all crucifers are excellent sources of
complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber.
With all of their wonderful nutritional benefits, doesn’t it make sense
to incorporate more crucifers into your diet? Health experts recommend
consuming at least three servings of these vegetables each week.
Crucifers are very easy to steam, sauté, or roast – all methods that
preserve their vibrant flavor and color. Boiling them can be a bit
tricky. Cooked too long, crucifers emit an unpleasant sulfurous odor,
and they also lose many valuable nutrients.
The following photos were taken using my Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Kohlibri kohlrabi
a beautiful head of Tendersweet cabbage
a red cabbage called Super Red 80
purple Graffiti cauliflower
broccoli Calabrese
yellow Cheddar cauliflower
a head of Arrowhead cabbage
a fluffy Snow Crown cauliflower
Gonzales cabbage
More Blogs From My Gardens and Farm
Tomato Planting at the farm
Posted Jun 12, 2008
Come look at the photo gallery I created of the beautiful peonies at my farm!
Posted Jun 10, 2008
The rhubarb is thriving in my garden -- come take a look!
Posted Jun 8, 2008
Come join the garden tour at my house! I love reading your comments -- please leave one!
Posted Jun 5, 2008
Bedford Garden Map
Posted Jun 1, 2008
I'm shopping for trees and plants -- come along!
Posted May 27, 2008
Come see the lilacs blooming at my farm - are yours blooming? Please leave a comment and let me know
Posted May 19, 2008
White Asparagus Update!
Posted May 12, 2008
Heirloom Seeds and Seed Exchanges
Posted May 12, 2008
More signs of spring! Please feel free to leave me a comment
Posted May 6, 2008
Lovely Muscari In My Garden
Posted May 5, 2008
The new groundcover beneath the allee of linden trees
Posted May 2, 2008
A trip to the 16th annual Garden Furniture Show -- come see my pictures!
Posted Apr 29, 2008
Growing Asparagus In My Vegetable Garden
Posted Apr 28, 2008
Nature's Trees University comes to Cantitoe Corners
Posted Apr 25, 2008
Planting weeping willows in honor of Earth Day
Posted Apr 24, 2008
More from the Bahamas -- Holey Farm
Posted Apr 23, 2008
Planting shallots in my garden
Posted Apr 21, 2008
Daffodils on my farm
Posted Apr 11, 2008
Springtime activity at the farm
Posted Apr 4, 2008
Begonias in my greenhouse, have a look at my photos!
Posted Mar 28, 2008
Voodoo Lily
Posted Mar 25, 2008
The kumquats in my greenhouse
Posted Mar 10, 2008
Witch Hazel and photos from the farm
Posted Mar 3, 2008
Compost Tea, how refreshing!
Posted Feb 29, 2008
Come see the pussy willows in and around my home!
Posted Feb 14, 2008
My Water Garden
Posted Feb 12, 2008
My Cacti Collection
Posted Jan 28, 2008
Trees in Winter
Posted Jan 24, 2008
My New Coldhouse!
Posted Jan 22, 2008
Winter Pruning of Blackcurrants
Posted Jan 18, 2008
My Staghorn Fern
Posted Jan 14, 2008
New Tabletops from a Fallen Sycamore Tree
Posted Jan 11, 2008
Winter Tree Pruning
Posted Jan 8, 2008
Seed-Starting Blocks
Posted Dec 28, 2007
Succulent Propagating
Posted Dec 27, 2007
Winter Cheer, Amaryllis
Posted Dec 15, 2007
Burlapping My Boxwoods
Posted Dec 12, 2007
Repotting my Boston Fern
Posted Dec 8, 2007
The Martha Stewart Orchid
Posted Dec 6, 2007
Jodi - my head gardener (and her gloves!)
Posted Dec 5, 2007
Forcing Narcissi
Posted Dec 1, 2007
My Boxwood Room
Posted Nov 30, 2007
Where in the world is Dan Hinkley?
Posted Nov 29, 2007
How to Move a Tree
Posted Nov 27, 2007
George Bridge and My New Boxwoods
Posted Nov 14, 2007
My Gingko Tree
Posted Nov 12, 2007
What is Celeriac? Also, a Great Recipe From my Chef Pierre
Posted Nov 8, 2007
What do You Know About Garlic?
Hi Martha, These are absolutely stunning photos of your cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and kohlrobi. I have never seen or heard of some of the varieties. Did you start them in your greenhouse or cold house early? I can't believe they are mature enough to eat already. Wow, how great! You must have excellent compost to produce such beautiful cole plants. Can we get some of those varieties through Johnny's Seeds? I would eat these veggies everyday if I had them. I really enjoyed your program "At Martha's Table with Emeril today. You two sure have a good time together. Have a great trip to Warsaw. Can't wait to see the blog about your trip. Thanks again for sharing. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | June 17th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Gorgeous!
Posted by: Isle Dance | June 17th, 2008 at 1:25 am
Love the different colored cauliflowers. They taste so good just steamed with garlic or sometimes I make vegetable curries with them mainly because they have a meaty texture and holds up well to the sauce. Take more pics of your garden - would love to see how other things are growing
Posted by: ShopLittleGifts | June 17th, 2008 at 1:34 am
Hi Martha,
Great looking vegetables so early!
I'm wondering what is used in your garden to battle aphids that attack the cruciferous veggies? I've given up on broccoli and cauliflower because they get infested so badly. So does my cabbage but they are easier to wash. What is your insect defense?
Thanks! Pam
Posted by: Pamela Regentin | June 17th, 2008 at 1:40 am
I think it might be time to have a giveaway of one of those Canon EOS-1D Mark Cameras - don't keep all the fun for yourself - lovely shots! Thanks for sharing your gardens with us.;)
Posted by: Jessica | June 17th, 2008 at 4:37 am
Oh, boy! I wish I'd live someplace warmer than Finland! My veggies aren't even close to that lushious! I have the same purple graffiti cauliflower, but it's just few inches tall at the moment. But at the end of the summer I should be able to get at least some of the wonders Mother Earth gives us, I hope!
Thank You Martha for sharing your pictures with us!
Raisa
Posted by: Raisa K | June 17th, 2008 at 5:11 am
Hi Martha,
The veggies look wonderful!! You are so right people should eat more fresh produce with no chemicles, people rely too much on artificial means of getting there vitamines and minerals!! Maybe there wouldnt be so much cancer and other illness? You never heard of all this cancer in the "olden days" when people used to grow there own produce, meats and milk!!! Have a great day !!!
Posted by: Paula | June 17th, 2008 at 6:54 am
Your vegetables are beautiful. I's afraid it's been so hot in the Carolinas our vegetables just sit there no matter how much water you spray or haul to them. And of course we have terrible insect problems even we try to grow cabbage in the spring or collards or turnips in the fall. It is just so amazing how beautiful your vegatables and flowers are with the short growing season you have compared to ours. Love your website. I look forward to seeing the pictures on it everyday. Oh, what do you do with the excess. It appears you could feed a small town every day and the flowers could supply alot of florists or friend's homes and of course your offices.
Posted by: faye carlyle | June 17th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Hi Martha,
ABUNDANZA!!!!!! In Portuguese, that means, abundance, and that's exactly what you have growing in your vegetable garden!
Thank you for shaing these photos. I tool, anxiously await for the abundance my garden will provide to my family!
God Bless your harvest, and all that you do Martha! You're a great inspiration to us all!
Your devoted fan,
Sandy Resendes
Montreal-Canada
Posted by: Sandy Resendes | June 17th, 2008 at 9:04 am
I love crucifers and especially broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. I have only tasted the grocery store varieties though and have never seen your unique varieties except possibly the cheddar cauliflower.
Any chance you could share some crucifer recipes with us on your community page? You only have 2 recipes on there; I commented on the vegetable cocktail and I'll let you know more after I've made it. I think I cook my vegetables too much so recipes would be good. Thanks Martha! Trish
Posted by: Trish | June 17th, 2008 at 9:49 am
I love the diiferent colors of the vegatables. The plants thrive well in your garden. Good luck on the harvest season.
Posted by: Dedric Clark | June 17th, 2008 at 9:59 am
The pictures could be made into posters. Such grand colors, lines and shapes.
Posted by: Margie | June 17th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Hi Martha,
Your assortment of cauliflower is wonderful! Have never heard of "cheddar cauliflower" bet it is delicious. I will try to find it at my local farm market which opens this week.
Posted by: joan vogt | June 17th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Ah, so that's where the word "cole" slaw comes from! I never knew! You're always teaching, Martha!
Posted by: Sara | June 17th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Amazing pictures! I love the assortment that you have and the Cheddar cauliflower is amazing! Thank you for sharing
Claduine
Posted by: Claudine | June 17th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Your gardens are spectacular!!! Could you tell us what you do with the amazing abundance of vegetable that you grow? Do you share them with your friends, employees, neighbors? or do you donate the excess? or sell them at a farm stand? Just curious because they are fabulous, but I can't imagine that you can use all of them yourself. Please let us know. Thank you so much.
Posted by: Barbara | June 17th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Hi, Martha,
Simply stunning photos of your cole crop! They are gorgeous, and the taste is most likely the best, too. Thanks for the post of your produce. Did you grow them---or start them---in your new greenhouse?
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | June 17th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
The photos are beautiful! Martha and all please check my website for beautiful baskets and accessories to put your fruit and vegetables in for a beautiful display!
There is a huge sale through Friday of this week to the public:
http://www.longaberger.com/jenniferfancher
Thanks for visiting. These veggies need baskets!!!: ) Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer Fancher | June 17th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Martha -- The cole crops are beautiful -- I have never heard of the chedder cauliflower. Wonder where we can get then in Nebraska? Wish I knew so we could try them next year.
Posted by: Faith | June 17th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Hi Martha, it would be great if you posted a few recipes you use to steam or cook your crucifiers.
Variety is the spice of life. Great pictures - did you start these vegetables in your cold house?
Posted by: Gizella Gallipeau | June 17th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Dear Martha, sigh. It's getting cold here in Melbourne Australia so it is with great envy that your Australian fans look at images of your springtime garden. I am intrigued by the cheddar cauliflower. I wonder does it retain that amazing colour after cooking?
Posted by: Ramona | June 17th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
I am just slightly envious. If you find a foreigner rifling through your garden, it might be me.
Posted by: IowaCowgirl | June 17th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Uh, Martha? I had NO idea that cauliflower came in any color other than creamy white! Absolutely stunning photos - and so delightful! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: CMN | June 17th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Cabbage is one of my favorite vegetables! I've never grown it before, but these pics sure are inspiring. Wish I had some right now to put into my soup.
le-potage.blogspot.com
Posted by: Michelle | June 18th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Martha,
Simply gorgeous! What Mother Nature has for us gardeners!!
Where do you get your varieties from? Do you start in your greenhouse because ours are just starting to grow but not as large in CT.
Love the colored cauliflowers! Snow Crown is way too cool! Trying some of those next year!
Thanks again for the beautiful photos inside your vegetable garden!
PS. Love the new Everyday Food issue with you and Emeril! Love his recipes in it! Thanks Emeril!
Paula
Posted by: Paula M. :) | June 18th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Dear Martha,
From Naples (formerly) to Nashville two years ago, I so love your tropical plants, and the memories they invoke. Now, a view of the Gulf, as I used to have from our LR, would be terrific.
Thanks for the re-run of your demo on the Pfaff Creative Vision on yesterday's show. I'm adding this fabulous machine to my sewing room, from Sally Cheney's Superstore in Nashville! I probably would not have done it now, if I hadn't been using my Miela rotary iron (which I had to have when I saw one in your book), while watching your praise of the newest Pfaff. (I have the 2170 model, and know you are good for your word.) The selling point was having my husband watch your video on my computer! I wanted him to feel good about this decision, as well.
My Best,
Katherine
Posted by: Katherine Meade | June 18th, 2008 at 5:20 pm