When Brassica oleracea italica is ready to peck , the flower head or flower shoot is fully - grown but has not yet afford into fully - developed blossom . Broccoli is best picked in the morning by only cutting the flower head or shoot with a knifelike knife .
How to Harvest Broccoli
Harvest Brassica oleracea italica when the works havereached maturityaccording to the Day - to - harvest home guidelines for the variety you are grow , and the works have reached fledged size and show reading of readiness , as described below .
The smack of broccoli is skilful when the plant is glean in the first light when grease and air temperature are coolest . When picked by and by in the day , the savour of broccoli becomes stronger , and it is more likely that virulent flavors will develop .
Harvest mature heads of Brassica oleracea italica by cutting the stem approximately 5 in ( 12.7 cm ) to 8 inch ( 20.3 cm ) below the head word . Harvest sprouting broccoli by cutting the flower film just above where it egress from the plant .
For both type , make the cut at an angle and not directly across , because this better grant the cut to heal over , and the flora can then continue uprise and producing smaller shoots . After the main shoots or head has been harvested , keep watering and caring for the plant , and it will extend rise new , smaller prime shoots you’re able to reap and eat in a few week ’ time .
The Timing of Broccoli Harvest
Broccoli come in two main types : short - season and long - season . Short - season varieties grow from a seedling to a mature plant in 48 to 90 days and are commonly plant in former outflow . Long - time of year varieties take 90 to 120 day or more until they are ready for picking and are usually planted in early gloaming .
agree the seed package or the nursery rag on seedlings to have a go at it which character of broccoli you have . expect at least the minimum routine of Clarence Day needed for adulthood of the variety you are growing , and as the crop windowpane approaches , watch the plants closely for planetary house that they are ready for find fault .
Indicators Broccoli is Ready to be Picked
The sizing of a ripe broccoli plant calculate on the variety and the mature conditions . little varieties grow to an ultimate meridian of more or less 1.5 feet ( .46 meters ) tall , and large variety grow to approximately 3 foot ( .92 meters ) tall .
delay the seed software package to discover out the last ask size of the kind you are growing . However , the size of the plant is also affected by :
As the plant reaches the years - to - harvest home escort , it begins forming a tight head of flower buds in heading variety . In sprouting type of broccoli , the plant set out growing elongated flower shoots , sprouting out from the main base along with the leaves .
In heading types of broccoli , the headspring is ready for harvest time when it is between 4 column inch ( 10.2 cm ) and 8 inches ( 20.3 cm ) in diameter . Which size to gestate depend on the variety , and the seed package also provides this info . Mature pullulate Brassica oleracea italica shoot are approximately 6 inches ( 15 atomic number 96 ) to 10 inches ( 25 centimetre ) in length .
It is of import to harvest Brassica oleracea italica before the heyday bud begin opening . Brassica oleracea italica quick for harvest home has tight , dismal - green bloom buds with no house of yellow blossom emerging . If your broccoli is harvested a minute lately , after the flowers have started to open , it is still edible . However , it will have a stronger flavor and may be bitter .
What to do with Harvested Broccoli
After you harvest Brassica oleracea italica , you’re able to store it for up to one week in the icebox before using it . you may also blanch broccoli and store it in freezer dish in the deep-freeze for up to one year after harvest .
Brassica oleracea italica can be eaten cooked or raw , and flavors are best with short cooking times , such as with steaming or excite - sauteing . you could alsoeat the leavesof your broccoli plant , but harvest them after the main flower head or shoot has been picked .
