Broccoli rewards patient gardeners twice — once with its large central head, and again with a steady supply of smaller side shoots that keep coming for weeks after the first harvest.
A cool-season member of the cabbage family, broccoli grows best in the mild temperatures of spring and fall, bolting to seed quickly if hit with a stretch of hot summer weather.
Broccoli wants full sun and rich, consistently moist soil, planted early enough in spring or late enough in fall to mature during cool weather. After cutting the main head, leave the plant in place — it will keep producing smaller side shoots for several more weeks.
Harvest the main head while the buds are still tight and green — once yellow flowers begin to show, the flavor turns bitter, so don't wait for it to look "bigger."
