California is well-known in broccoli production. The state grows 92 percent of the broccoli in the United States and was the site of the first commercial test fields in 1922, according to the University of California Sonoma County Master Gardeners. Such commercial success means that the climate is right for growing and harvesting your own broccoli. Some varieties of broccoli require you to wait up to 60 weeks before harvest, but you can harvest early broccoli varieties after only a fourth of that time. Your reward for picking at the right time will be flavorful broccoli.
Check the broccoli head for dark green buds that are not bigger than a pin head and tightly closed.
Cut the stalk of the broccoli just beneath the crown with a sharp knife.
Trim off additional sprouts with dark green buds as they appear in the eight to 10 weeks after you harvest the main portion of the broccoli.
Store broccoli in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Things You Will Need
- Harvest the broccoli at once if you notice some of the buds begin opening into flowers -- turning yellow -- or increasing in size.
- Broccoli varieties with shorter growing seasons only grow about half the size of longer season varieties, so you cannot use size as a means of determining when to harvest your broccoli.
- Don't wait until the broccoli produces yellow flower buds. Once it reaches this stage, the broccoli will be inedible.
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