Harvest broccoli while heads are a deep green, still compact, and before buds open into….

Flowers. If buds start to separate and yellow petals inside start showing, harvest immediately. Cut stem at a slant 4-6” below head. Removing head on some varieties produces sideshoots. You can get 4-6 cuttings of shoots per plant over several weeks. Thick stems are edible. Peel first. Leaves are tough. Use in soups and stews.