Help with broccoli

**calimomx2** · 08-16-2011, 08:41 PM

We planted broccoli for the first time this year. The plants are doing really well but I'm not sure when I'm supposed to pick! I'm getting really little flowerettes (not sure if that is what they are called) that don't look anything like broccoli that you get in the store. They are really little so I've left them alone thinking they just need to grow more. When I let them go I end up with tall yellow flowers all over the plants........so am I letting them go to long? Do I pick even the little bunches? If the plants go to flower am I still able to harvest from them?
TIA

**Durgan** · 08-16-2011, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by calimomx2

We planted broccoli for the first time this year. The plants are doing really well but I'm not sure when I'm supposed to pick! I'm getting really little flowerettes (not sure if that is what they are called) that don't look anything like broccoli that you get in the store. They are really little so I've left them alone thinking they just need to grow more. When I let them go I end up with tall yellow flowers all over the plants........so am I letting them go to long? Do I pick even the little bunches? If the plants go to flower am I still able to harvest from them?
TIA

Broccoli is a cold weather crop. Very early Spring or plant now for a Fall Crop. If too hot the plant bolts, goes to seed, very quickly. Pick the little head as they form and you will get some produce.

If planted in the Spring I put the seedlings in the ground as soon a the ground can be worked. Some years the produce is perfect and the side shoot are even good after removing the main head, which extends the season a few weeks. I have never planted for a Fall crop. The same caveats apply to cauliflower.

Both broccoli and cauliflower tend to mature all at once. What does one do with 12 heads of each?

**chowder** · 08-16-2011, 09:14 PM

Both broccoli and cauliflower tend to mature all at once. What does one do with 12 heads of each?

You blanch and freeze them for winter.

**sinopa27** · 08-16-2011, 10:33 PM

I tried to plant broccoli at different times and yes!!! they do mature all at once!! We just kept eating broccoli every day!

**calimomx2** · 08-16-2011, 11:45 PM

thanks for the tips, it all makes perfect sense! We will try to grow it better in the cooler months!

**chowder** · 08-17-2011, 07:49 AM

Just a thought,but are you sure you are growing broccoli and not broccolini ? because there is a big difference in size.

**calimomx2** · 08-17-2011, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by chowder

Just a thought,but are you sure you are growing broccoli and not broccolini ? because there is a big difference in size.

This has been the hot topic of conversation with dh! I told him it looked more like broccolini but he insists he planted regular broccoli. I didn't see the seed packets before he planted so I can't say for sure! Next time I'll get the seed packets!