If you’ve ever tried to harvest broccoli, you know that it can be a challenge. You have to wait for the right moment and then pull the plant out of the ground.
But no worries because, in this post, we’ll teach you how to harvest broccoli the right and quick way! But before that, let’s learn more about this interesting vegetable.
Before you learn how to harvest broccoli, what should you know about them?
Let’s recapitulate some facts about broccoli that could help us understand this vegetable more!
- Broccoli is a part of the cabbage family, and it has been around for a long time.
- It was first cultivated in China around 600 BC, and it was brought to Italy from there around 200 BC.
- Broccoli is rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, called glucosinolates, which have been linked to cancer prevention and cardiovascular health benefits.
- It’s also low in fat and calories, making it a healthy addition to any meal.
- Broccoli has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels in rats by nearly 50 percent!
- For centuries, broccoli buds have been used to treat everything from cancer to migraines.
- Broccoli can be eaten raw or cooked, but it has more flavor when it’s cooked.
- It comes with its own built-in handle for easy eating.
As you can see, broccoli has so much to offer, which is why you might want to grow broccoli in your garden. Growing it in your garden allows you to access this healthy vegetable anytime you want without going to grocery stores.
When is the perfect time to harvest broccoli?
Broccoli is mature when it forms a head or “culm” and has a thick stalk that supports the head. Mature broccoli should be firm and have tightly closed buds. It should also have bright green leaves that are not wilting or yellowing.
If you wait until your broccoli heads are fully mature, they will be larger and have more flavor than if you harvest them earlier.
Generally speaking, the larger your heads of broccoli, the more nutrients they will contain. And since broccoli is rich in Vitamin C and fiber, it’s always better to eat larger heads!
Note: You can tell when the broccoli is ready to harvest by looking at the central head. If they start to turn deep green and stop growing, it’s the time! If you wait too long after harvesting them, they may wither or rot before being eaten. If your broccoli starts turning yellow, you should act quickly because it’s a bad sign.
How to harvest broccoli?
First thing first! You need to harvest your broccoli in the morning. You need to get it before the soil heats up. This way, you can get the best flavor out of your broccoli.
Here’s how to harvest broccoli.
- Leave 2 to 3 inches of stem on the plant when cutting it.
- Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the head (5 inches from the head stem up to below the head)
- Remove the head using a swift cut.
- Ensure not to damage the stem when cutting the head to achieve nice side harvesting.
- You can resume harvesting the remaining side shoots of your broccoli.
- Just cut the shoots with a sharp scissor or knife once they are ready.
How can I harvest more broccoli?
How you cut the central head and secure the stem defines your harvest. That’s why you need to be careful when cutting the bigger heads and not ruining the smaller ones.
You can harvest more broccoli by following the above steps but with extra care. You need to save those smaller heads that are yet to mature. If you can take care of them, there’s a higher possibility that you can have second and third crop harvest!
What should you do with the remaining broccoli part?
After getting the central head and the side shoots of your broccoli, it’s end season for them. You do not want to leave your garden dirty with those bald broccoli stems, so what should you do?
You can just pull the remaining part and add it to the compost that you can use as a natural fertilizer for your crops soon.
Tips so you can get the most out of your broccoli harvest.
Growing broccoli is a great way to add some nutrients to your diet, and it’s also a fun and rewarding experience. Here are some tips for planting and harvesting broccoli.
- Make sure you plant your seeds in the right season. Broccoli should be planted in late spring or early summer.
- Make sure you have good soil conditions. Broccoli plants need plenty of nutrients, so make sure you add compost or other organic materials when preparing your bed.
- Plant your seeds about 2-3 inches apart, with at least 1 foot between each row.
- After you’ve planted your seeds, keep them moist until they germinate. After they germinate, water them regularly and keep them weeded and well-watered throughout the season.
- Water regularly as needed, but avoid overwatering. The soil should be moist but not overwatered or soggy.
- Harvest broccoli when the heads are tight and firm but not too tight.
Broccoli recipes for you!
Now that you know how to harvest broccoli properly, it’s time to prepare some delicious meals using your vegetable! Here are just some recipes you can try!
- Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Shells
This recipe is almost too easy to believe. You can make it using frozen shells or jumbo pasta shells, but it will be delicious either way. Just fill each shell with broccoli and cheese sauce, then bake until the tops are golden brown.
- Broccoli Macaroni & Cheese
This one takes a bit more time than the first one on our list, but it’s still not time-consuming by any means, and it will leave your whole family feeling like royalty! The secret to this recipe is its use of cream cheese instead of traditional cheddar cheese as its base ingredient; this gives it a smooth texture that melts in your mouth as nothing else can!
- Broccoli-stuffed chicken breasts
This recipe features broccoli in a brand new way: as the main ingredient! It’s easy to make and tastes amazing!
- Broccoli salad
Broccoli salad is great for picnics or potlucks because it travels well and keeps its flavor even after sitting out for hours in the sun (or snow). You can make it with or without nuts—either way, it’s always delicious!
Plant and harvest broccoli the right way for a flavorful dish!
Planting and harvesting broccoli properly is crucial in developing its flavor. You must plant and harvest it at the right time to enjoy a flavorful vegetable. That’s why it is necessary to learn about broccoli before you start growing and harvesting them.
So, there you have it, your guide on how to harvest broccoli! Just a little reminder! When you’re ready to harvest your broccoli, ensure you don’t take too much from one plant and leave some behind for regrowth.