Does Broccoli Regrow After You Cut It? Side Shoots Explained
Many plants we grow in our gardens will produce even after we harvest from them, but broccoli stands out as being different. You might be asking yourself, Does broccoli regrow after you cut it?; we hope to answer this question in this article.
Although broccoli doesn’t form another big head once you cut it, it will still produce side shoots which taste just as delectable.
I will discuss everything you need to know about harvesting broccoli heads and encouraging more side shoots to form. At the conclusion of my presentation, we will also discuss when is best to pull your broccoli for the season.
How to Regrow Broccoli Properly
One key aspect of having healthy broccoli side shoots is harvesting them correctly; we’ll show you how here.
To harvest broccoli efficiently and effectively, be sure to have an effective set of garden shears. Broccoli stems can become thick, so to ensure a precise cut you should have sharp shears to cut through them easily and cleanly.
Cut your broccoli head so that about three or four inches of stem remains on the plant, this will allow side shoots to emerge within 2-3 weeks and continue growing for several more weeks.
Leaves attached to the main stem will grow into side shoots that you are after.
Does broccoli regrow after you cut it? Though your broccoli won’t produce another large head like the one you just harvested, side shoots are equally delectable. Side shoots are smaller broccoli heads with tender stems – exactly what makes them so delightful in my view!
Harvest side shoots the same way as you’d harvest a main head: simply use garden shears to clip each shoot off and cut about 2 to 3 inches of stem with it.
Sprouting broccoli
If you prefer tender shoots of sprouting broccoli, consider growing a variety of sprouting varieties.
Sprouting broccoli differs from regular broccoli varieties in that it does not form one giant head but instead produces numerous smaller sprouts, similar to how regular varieties produce side shoots.
Sprouting broccoli tastes exactly the same as regular broccoli and can be used in many of the same ways. Some good sprouting varieties to try include Sweet Bunch, Atlantis and Burgundy.
Are broccoli stems and leaves edible?
Yes! All parts of a broccoli plant can be consumed as food. Young leaves are particularly succulent and delicious and should be enjoyed right off the plant as a nutritious snack or mixed into salads as part of healthy meal options.
Consider sauteeing your greens into a stir fry and serving them over rice. Broccoli leaves may taste similar to kale since they come from the same family of plants.
Broccoli stems are also edible, though thicker ones may be difficult to chew when raw. Therefore, broccoli stems make an ideal addition to soups as their woodiness can be blended down and made more palatable through simmering and blending processes.
When to Harvest Broccoli?
If you want to get the most from your broccoli plant and harvest, it is crucial that you know when and how to plant and harvest it.
Your broccoli will be ready for harvest when its central head stops growing, which depends on which variety is planted and can reach up to 8 inches in diameter.
Unless you plan on saving your broccoli seeds, harvest it before it blooms (also known as bolting). When the broccoli flowers (blooms), its taste becomes bitter and less desirable for eating.
As broccoli is a cold-season plant, I tend to plant two successions: first in spring for early summer harvest, then again later on during the summer for harvest in fall.
Broccoli doesn’t do well in the heat of summer. Exposure to high temperatures often results in the brassica plants bolting, leading to their death and leaving behind bitter tasting leaves behind.
When should broccoli plants be pulled?
Most gardeners typically harvest their broccoli when temperatures begin to turn cold in late fall. Since brassicas can withstand low temperatures for longer, many gardeners choose to leave their broccoli plants in the ground for as long as possible.
To extend the season for broccoli plants, small caterpillar tunnels can help them stay warmer during particularly cold nights. I personally leave mine in the ground until it dies from frost or the temperature falls too far below its threshold; gardeners in warmer regions may never need this method!
As spring progresses, you may notice that even though the broccoli no longer has its head attached, it has begun to produce small yellow flowers indicating it is headed for seed! This indicates the plant is about to go to seed!
Seed saving or eating the flowers themselves – either way they make delicious additions to salads and taste just like broccoli!
Other brassicas, like kale and collards can produce these flowers too; so be on the lookout! Here’s one from my kale plant this spring:
Takeaway:
Does broccoli regrow after you cut it? Buy Again Although broccoli may only produce one head for you at any given time, it still offers many other delectable parts and will continue to regrow and form side shoots to harvest later.
Be sure to leave at least 3 to 4 inches of stem when harvesting your main broccoli head; this stem is what will foster side shoot development.
Grow special sprouting varieties of broccoli for delicious sprouts all season long. Don’t waste any part of the plant – even without its head! Everything edible.
Ciara Konhaus
I’m Ciara and I’m a gardener and agricultural educator in zone 6b. I’ve farmed and gardened all over the Appalachian mountains and love to empower people with the tools they need to start their own gardens.