Harvesting Broccoli

If you planted broccoli this fall, it should be almost ready to harvest.  Broccoli heads are the emerging flower stalk of the plant and are comprised of hundreds of little unopened flower buds.  You will want to harvest your broccoli when the heads reach 4-8 inches across and the buds are dark green.  Check your seedling label as some varieties produce larger heads than others.  Don’t wait too long or the flowers will start to open.  If the head starts to turn yellow it means you have waited too long.  Blooming broccoli is still edible but the texture and flavor are not as nice. 

Harvest the main head by cutting the stalk 3-4 inches below the head but leave the plant in the garden.  Broccoli will produce smaller, secondary heads for several weeks.  Look for the florets to form below where the main head was cut.  If temperatures stay mild, you can get several additional harvests. 

Cauliflower and cabbage are also getting close to harvest size now.  Cauliflower and cabbage will not form side shoots like broccoli so remove the plants from the garden after harvesting.