When you begin to harvest broccoli how long can you eat off of it before it goes by?

Question

I've started eating off my broccoli plants. How long can I eat off them before they go by?

Answer 1

Each plant will produce only one crown, and they normally all mature at about the same time.  You have to harvest each crown before ANY yellow flowers are even slightly visible.  Once you do, the main harvest is over, but you will get some side shoots that look like small florettes over the next few days.  

Unless you have dozens of plants, it isn't usually worth harvesting these other than to snap them off as you go and pop them straight in your mouth.  I find this the best way to enjoy broccoli!

Answer 2

You want to harvest before the heads start to go to flower (they're start turning yellow- as the flowers are yellow).

I generally harvest broccoli this time of year for about 2 weeks.

I also start a second crop inside in early July, planting out in August sometime.  The fall crop matures as the weather cools - which broccoli loves much better.  The harvest is twice as long, as bigger, and I get more side-shoots forning after the main head is harvested.

Answer 3

I harvest mine for at least 2 months..sometimes more..I grow  a pac man variety that once the main head is cut..it continues to put side chutes out continiously..You can also eat the leaves off of a broccolli plant..I take the leaves and par boil them once cutting up..then pour in some whipping cream and a little cheddar cheese and make a cheese broccolli soup...simmer the cream once added for about 20 mi9nutes..add a little water as it goes if it gets too thick..it also frezzes in baggies well..

Answer 4

Once you harvest the main head, the plant isn't finished.  It will continue producing small shoots.  Some people feel these are far better than the main harvest.  Whatever you do, you will want to harvest before any little flowers open on the heads.