When should broccoli be harvested?
Broccoli is a Brassica oleracea crop grown for flower buds and fleshy stems. Green heads are familiar, although purple types also exist. Yellowing often indicates that buds are beginning to open into flowers.
Steady growth in cool conditions
Choose cultivars and planting dates suited to cool-season growth. Heat, drought, and transplant stress can produce small or loose heads. Fertile drained soil and regular water are important. Repeated cropping with close relatives can increase disease pressure. Large leaves alone do not guarantee a good head; balanced growth matters more than excessive foliage.
Main heads and side shoots
Cut while buds are tight and closed, retaining a suitable stem length. Some cultivars produce useful side shoots after the main head is removed. Remaining leaves feed this growth, so stripping them is counterproductive. Prompt cooling preserves quality. Inspect for insects and clean before eating. Developmental stage is more reliable than a fixed harvest date.