Broccoli harvesting!!

Heirloom farmer1969

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I planted 40 broccoli plants i got from my organic manure buddy this past spring and don't want to make the mistake I did last year of cutting them too early.
I'm growing these mainly for giveaways to local food banks here in Kentucky, where they are in very high demand.
According to these so-called master gardeners on Reddit, if I don't harvest now, I'll lose them in this heat wave.
All 40 look exactly like these two in the pictures I took.
Should I harvest today?
This is only like my third time of growing broccoli so I'm not a expert at when to harvest.
 

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Meadowlark

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Yes, I would harvest today. If lucky, the plant will put on more side shoots that should be good pending heat wave.

The only problem I see is giving it away...fresh home grown broc is to die for 🙌
 

Heirloom farmer1969

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I was just never a big broccoli lover like the rest of my family .
And it's just not a good market saler in these parts.
I'll gather them all when it cools down some this evening.
Thanks @Meadowlark
 

skinyea

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I planted 40 broccoli plants i got from my organic manure buddy this past spring and don't want to make the mistake I did last year of cutting them too early.
I'm growing these mainly for giveaways to local food banks here in Kentucky, where they are in very high demand.
According to these so-called master gardeners on Reddit, if I don't harvest now, I'll lose them in this heat wave.
All 40 look exactly like these two in the pictures I took.
Should I harvest today?
This is only like my third time of growing broccoli so I'm not a expert at when to harvest.
If you dont harvest today, put some cover shades up to reduce heat.
 

Tundra20

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I planted 40 broccoli plants i got from my organic manure buddy this past spring and don't want to make the mistake I did last year of cutting them too early.
I'm growing these mainly for giveaways to local food banks here in Kentucky, where they are in very high demand.
According to these so-called master gardeners on Reddit, if I don't harvest now, I'll lose them in this heat wave.
All 40 look exactly like these two in the pictures I took.
Should I harvest today?
This is only like my third time of growing broccoli so I'm not a expert at when to harvest.
yes i would harvest them very soon watch for the head it will start to kinda seperate a little like the head wont be as tight if that makes sence

as mentioned u can use white shade cloth to help cool it down a bit
 

Heirloom farmer1969

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If you dont harvest today, put some cover shades up to reduce heat.
Thanks. I took @Meadowlark advice and gathered them Tuesday evening.
Ended up giving my sisters several to fix.
They brought me some of that casserole or whatever it was and I was impressed with how delicious it was.
It's amazing how much difference homegrown broccoli tastes than store bought.
Definitely be growing more next year!!
 
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I grow broccoli for home consumption. As with all my veg I plant quite a few. Initially it might look like I plant too much given that there are just two of us in the household. I also plant successively for a follow-on crop. What I do is, I harvest veg 'young'. They are delicious, flavoursome and tender. If I get it right, I am eating the last of a crop just as they reach maturity. I don't mind having a bumper crop as I can freeze the excess for off-season use.
 
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I formerly hated broccoli and refused to eat it.

Then I grew some and WOW what a difference. For years now home grown has been a favorite here.
I agree. I always enjoy that time of the year when the veg on your plate was in the garden half an hour ago. I steam broccoli so it just still has a 'bite' to it and serve it with a pinch of salt and a knob of butter. Simple delicious and nutritious food!
 

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