Broccoli is a good source of vitamins C, calcium, and omega 3s.If you want to introduce another vegetable to your diet, broccoli is an excellent choice.If you live in a warmer climate, broccoli can adapt.You will need to harvest your broccoli shoots about 2 months after you plant them.You can pick a great broccoli harvest with a little guidance and understanding.
Step 1: Your calendar should be marked.
You can get the most out of your broccoli plant by scheduling an approximate picking time months in advance.If you live in a cold climate, you should plant your broccoli in the spring.You can harvest in autumn in warmer climates.After planting broccoli, expect to harvest it within 55 to 60 days.When the broccoli is 4 to 8 inches wide, it's time to harvest them.The best time to grow broccoli is in the spring or fall.You can pick during an optimum season if you remember this in advance.
Step 2: Pick when it is warm.
Your broccoli will be fresh from a night of rest in the morning.The broccoli plant won't be affected by the sun's heat in the evening.The middle of the day is when your plant will have the least amount of water.Pick in the morning to get the best taste.You can pick in the middle of the day if you live in a cold climate.Pick your broccoli when it isn't wilted.
Step 3: Measure the central head's growth.
The first sign that your broccoli is ready to eat is head growth.The head should be tight and firm, and it should grow to around 10 to 20 cm.You risk waiting until your plant is overripe if you have a plant larger than 8 inches.When the central head is ready, it will stop growing.Your plant is ready to pick if you haven't noticed head growth in more than a few days.
Step 4: Floret and leaf growth must be monitored.
The flower size is a good indicator of when the harvest is ready.When the broccoli head is around the size of a toothpick, it's ready to be picked.
Step 5: Look for a deep green.
When making a decision, pay close attention to the plant's color.It should be a deep green.Your plant has begun to bloom or bolt if you see yellow in the florets.If the broccoli begins to turn yellow, you should immediately harvest it.The broccoli flower is no longer usable.Pick your broccoli on the day your plant begins to oxidize.
Step 6: Use the right tools to pick broccoli.
Make sure the tools you use are sharp.Don't harvest broccoli with rusty tools, and clean your tools before you use them.When picking broccoli, it's important to make precise cuts to help the plant heal and prevent it from withering.If you haven't already, buy a pair of gardening gloves.Gardeners gloves keep their hands clean and protect them from garden insects.Don't pick your broccoli with your hands.Without using tools, your broccoli will not be able to grow side shoots.
Step 7: The heads should be removed from the base.
Cut below the broccoli heads using a sharp knife.If you want your plant to heal and produce more side shoots, you need to remove the head.It's a good idea to avoid sawing motions or cutting with multiple hits.
Step 8: The heads should be cut at a slant.
Cutting flat will cause water to pool on top and rot the center, whereas cutting at an angle will allow it to slide down the side.You will need to pull your plant early if the center rots.
Step 9: Remember that side shoots.
Smaller broccoli heads should be seen along the sides of your broccoli.Use a knife or a pair of clippers to trim these at an angle.There will be more side shoots over the next few weeks.
Step 10: You need to collect the broccoli harvest.
After you have picked broccoli, bring a bucket, basket, or bowl to collect it.This will allow easy storage and keep your picking organized.Throw away any broccoli that is bad.The heads may have rotted before they were picked.
Step 11: Don't harvest your whole plant at once.
You won't get the most out of your plant if you harvest all the heads at the same time.Within a few days, your plant will grow more side shoots if you cut at an angle.Because fresh broccoli needs to be eaten within a small window, you may want to harvest over the course of a week.If your plant has yellowed considerably and you think it will soon flower, this is the exception to this.Before your plant shows yellow streaks, plan on harvesting.If it already has, harvest as much as you can, but check the stalks in a few days for more shoots.You are less likely to waste your harvest if you pick over several days.
Step 12: Pick up a few days later.
Smaller heads may grow where you cut the first head.If you want to check for more smaller heads, slice them off at an angle and check again in 2 to 4 days.The first harvest may have caused too much damage to the plant if you don't see any more shoots.Pull the plant and compost it after a week of no shoot growth.Over the next few weeks, the heads should become smaller and smaller, until the end of broccoli harvesting season for your climate.
Step 13: Broccoli can be stored indoors.
Before storing broccoli, wash it and dry it.You can keep your broccoli in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.If you plan to use it later, you should either Blanch or freeze it.It is better to have cold and moist broccoli shoots.If your refrigerator is dry, put your broccoli in a plastic bag.You can keep frozen broccoli in the freezer for a year.If your broccoli harvest was heavy and you can't use all of it in a weak state, freezing is the best option.
Step 14: Put your broccoli plant in the compost.
Pull your broccoli plant after the first frosts in your area.Pull the broccoli plant from the roots to make sure it's gone.If you have created a compost pile, you can add the broccoli plant to it with other carbon- and nitrogen-rich materials such as leaves, egg shells, coffee grounds, and grass clippings.When planting later for richer soil, you can mix it into your garden.