Is this broccoli ready for its initial harvesting?

[cbar]

It's looking very nice and has about a 5 diameter. Should I wait or clip? Thanks!
[img]https://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh99/cbar851/2010-06-25byEye-Fi/DSC_0005.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh99/cbar851/2010-06-25byEye-Fi/DSC_0004.jpg[/img]

[crobi13]

I'd clip it, it is starting to get pretty warm up here in the N. E. & Broccoli is a cool weather crop. If you wait too long, it will bolt.

Enjoy!

[rainbowgardener]

I would say harvest, not due to the size, broccoli heads can be lots of different sizes depending on the variety and conditions, but because it looks like the buds are just starting to separate. That's your clue.

check out the pictures that were posted here:

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=145495&highlight=harvest+broccoli#145495

Here's another recent discussion of this with a useful link:

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=138232&highlight=harvest+broccoli#138232

Just cut the head off, right where it joins the main stalk and leave the plant. It should put out smaller side heads for a while.

[gixxerific]

Yes harvest. See those tiny little yellow specks that is the flowers starting to emerge when that happens it's toast. So pick it and enjoy than you will get some side shoots as well

By the way good looking plant you have there.

[cbar]

Yes harvest. See those tiny little yellow specks that is the flowers starting to emerge when that happens it's toast. So pick it and enjoy than you will get some side shoots as well

By the way good looking plant you have there.

It's done! My first harvest of the year, now to decide, saute or steam, saute or steam!
[img]https://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh99/cbar851/2010-06-25byEye-Fi/DSC_0001-1.jpg[/img]

[soil]

steam it

[gixxerific]

steam it

second that, or eat raw, put it in a salad.

I'm jealous I waited to long for mine and had to scrap them.

Don't forget to try again this fall.

[soil]

yea fresh raw broccoli is delicious. much sweeter than anything you can buy.

[lakngulf]

steam it

second that, or eat raw, put it in a salad.

I'm jealous I waited to long for mine and had to scrap them.

Don't forget to try again this fall.

Please outline the process for fall planting. I am deep South, so warm for quite a while. I plant turnip green seed (purple top) about mid September, and collard plants soon after that. Where would broccoli fit in?

[soil]

I plant my broccoli starts in early october. I start the seeds a month and a week before that in a smei shaded area in cells. then I'm eating broccoli all winter long. even if it snows they keep on going.

[rainbowgardener]

It looks like you are in either zone 7 or 8. Here's a planting schedule for zone 7-8:

https://www.thevegetablegarden.info/resources/planting-schedules/zones-7-8-planting-schedule

It suggests planting broccoli (SEEDS) between August 1 and Sept 1. As soil suggests, that wouldn't have to be in the ground, if your garden is busy yet. Start them in cells/pots somewhere and transplant them in the ground later on. My spring ones get started indoors under lights 8 weeks before they are transplanted out. So even if you started the seeds Aug 1, they could stay in pots til Oct 1, by which time there would likely be a bit more room in your garden.

[garden5]

steam it

And then add some melted butter and enjoy