Broccoli is one of the first crops I plant early in the spring in my green house. I raise the seedling in a sunny south window, transplanting several times until they are about 6-8 inches tall.
After planting in the green house, I place a large black bottomless buckets (say that 3 times fast) around them. This helps guard against frost that can still kill plants in the early spring. If it really cold, I place a plastic bag over the bucket for the night.
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| ready to harvest |
Use the outer leaves while you wait for the head to develop,
they are especially good steamed or stir fried.
Add them to your morning smoothy or green drink.
Check on the broccoli often.
To tell when the broccoli is ready to harvest :
1. notice the color, it should be a deep, dark green
2. the buds should be packed tightly together, run your thumb over them to check
3. when the color changes and becomes just a little lighted,
check to see if the buds have loosened up just a bit.
(don't wait too long or the buds will blossom)
4. Harvest by cutting off the stock just below the branching head.
Leave the plant in the ground, secondary heads, side shoots, will form for another harvest.
Also continue harvesting the leaves.
5. I have learned to quickly place the broccoli in a plastic bag and refrigerate.
If you leave it out it, the buds will open and it will turn yellow in a very short time.
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