How to tell when it's time to pick broccoli

Asica · Tue Dec 08, 2015 2:11 pm

This is first time, I am succesful at planting broccoli. I know it will eventualy bloom so I have to pick it before that. It has been very warm recently around 70's which I can imagine makes them bloom more. I attaching picture. To me it looks like the broccoli is starting to bloom. It is time to cut it?

Asica · Tue Dec 08, 2015 2:44 pm

Close up

Asica · Tue Dec 08, 2015 7:20 pm

Thank you. I will harvest it tomorrow and make it for lunch. Kids will love it.

catgrass · Thu Dec 10, 2015 10:00 am

Usually, I let the head get to be a least the size of my palm or larger. I plant Packman, other types may be larger or smaller. I prefer them a little larger than my palm. If you start to see some yellow, they are fixing to bloom and won't be as tasty.

catgrass · Fri Dec 11, 2015 11:04 am

Yes, I do! And so does my little dog. He'll go in the garden and bounce up and down and bark for broccoli! Actually, he does it for beans and carrots, too. I'll have some ready to cut in about a week.

Asica · Sat Dec 12, 2015 12:32 am

So I steamed the broccoli and the kids ate it like crazy. I was able to steal a piece. I have to say, this was the best broccoli I have ever had in my life! It was even easy to cut. I tried growing broccoli so many times, but end up being eaten by worms. Then I found this forum and was introduce to BT and not I have enjoyed my I best broccoli head.

rainbowgardener · Sat Dec 12, 2015 7:57 am

So glad it worked out for you to enjoy your broccoli!

You did right. You can't pick them by size, because it depends on temperature and conditions. In cold weather, the broccoli will keep growing and the heads will get bigger. Once days are long and temps are warm, the broccoli bolts quicker -- those buds will just open up without waiting for the head to get bigger.

jal_ut · Fri Dec 18, 2015 6:14 pm

"So I steamed the broccoli and the kids ate it like crazy. I was able to steal a piece. I have to say, this was the best broccoli I have ever had in my life!"

Excellent. This is the kind of success story we love to hear.

catgrass · Mon Dec 21, 2015 10:37 am

Cut my first head Saturday-me and the dog ate it raw in the garden! My little neighbors that moved last summer loved broccoli -I sure miss them!