Planning the Harvest
Plan to harvest your broccoli 2-4 months after planting. It would be helpful to mark this time in your calendar so you can prepare for your harvest in the days leading up to it. Consult your seed packet instructions for an estimate of how long it will take to mature and the predicted size of your broccoli head. Plant your broccoli seeds in a sunny place, as they need a lot of sunlight to grow.
Check the color of your plant close to the harvest time. The florets should be a dense set of small green flower buds (about the size of a pinhead). You’ll want to harvest before these flower, so make sure to inspect them carefully and be ready to harvest if there is any sign of yellowing or flowering. Monitor the temperature as hot spells for more than 7 days can cause your plant to bolt and flower quickly, which is not ideal for harvesting. Harvest your broccoli immediately if there are any signs of flowers or yellowing
Keep an eye on the growth of the central head. Your broccoli will be ready to harvest when the central head stops growing in size. Most homegrown heads reach sizes of about 4 to 6 inches in diameter, but refer back to your seed packet for a better estimate. If you lightly squeeze the head, it should feel tight as there should be very little space between the florets. Don’t worry if the head isn’t as tightly packed as store-bought broccoli. Since it doesn’t have to be transported anywhere, it can be harvested at a later stage.
Plan to pick your broccoli when it is cool outside. This is generally in the morning or the evening when the soil is less exposed to the sun. Cooler soil is able to retain more moisture which results in a fresher, less wilted plant. For the best possible taste, harvest your broccoli in the morning.
Harvesting Your Broccoli
Gather your garden gloves and pruners, or a knife. You’ll also need a container or basket to collect your broccoli in. Ensure that your pruners/knife are clean and sharp, as this will keep your broccoli healthy after you cut it, and allow it to continue growing.
Use your knife or pruners to clip off the main stalk. Measure about 5-8 inches down the stalk below the head and clip or cut the stem. Ensure you cut at an angle to prevent rain from pooling on top and rotting the centre of the stem. Try to make the cut in one motion to avoid tearing the stalk.
Harvest the side shoots. In the weeks after you harvest the main head, your plant may continue to grow side shoots that you can also cut off for up to three months. Check back every 3-4 days to see if there are new side shoots to harvest. Clip these in the same way you harvest the main head, ensuring you cut the stalks at an angle and leave a couple of inches of stalk at the bottom. You can get several harvests throughout the season by following this process, and side shoots will take longer to bolt/flower. If your plant is flowering, you can still harvest it as the flowers are edible, and can be used in a variety of soup, salad or stir-fry recipes.
Store your harvested broccoli. Rinse and thoroughly dry the florets and store your refrigerator in a loosely sealed bag or container. Broccoli stored this way will keep for up to 5 days. If you plan to keep broccoli for longer, simply blanch and freeze it. Frozen broccoli can keep for up to a year.
Pull out your broccoli plant after a week of no new growth. Once the side shoots stop growing, this is a sign the plant is no longer producing. Using your gloves, pull the entire plant out, including the roots. This will make room for future crops, and stop the broccoli plant from rotting in your soil. If you have a compost system, you can add the plant to your pile and it will create nutritious food for future crops.
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