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Harvesting Chinese broccoli is best done when the main stalk is about 1 inch in diameter and the flower buds are still tight and green.
If you’ve been wondering how to harvest Chinese broccoli so the plant keeps producing, you’re in exactly the right place.
Learning how to harvest Chinese broccoli properly makes all the difference between a single cutting and a long, steady supply of tender stems and leaves.
The good news is that harvesting Chinese broccoli is simple once you know the timing and the technique.
In this post, we’ll walk through when to harvest Chinese broccoli, the right way to cut it, and how to keep your plants producing more shoots after each harvest.
Let’s dig in.
How to Harvest Chinese Broccoli the Right Way
How to harvest Chinese broccoli comes down to three things: timing, tools, and technique.
Get those right and you’ll be rewarded with crisp, sweet stems and tender leaves every time.
1. Harvest at the Right Stage
When to harvest Chinese broccoli matters more than most people think.
The ideal time to harvest Chinese broccoli is when the main stem is roughly 8 to 12 inches tall and about 1 inch thick at the base.
The small flower buds at the top should be tight and green, not open and yellow.
Once the buds start flowering, the stems get tough and woody, so harvesting Chinese broccoli before that point keeps everything tender.
A good habit is to check your plants every couple of days because Chinese broccoli grows fast.
2. Use Clean, Sharp Tools
Harvesting Chinese broccoli with a sharp knife or garden shears keeps the cut clean and helps the plant heal quickly.
Clean your tools with rubbing alcohol before you harvest Chinese broccoli, especially if you’re moving between plants.
A clean cut is the first step in how to harvest Chinese broccoli without inviting disease into the stem.
3. Make the Cut at the Right Spot
To harvest Chinese broccoli, cut the main stem about 1 to 2 inches above the soil line, or just above a lower set of leaves.
Leave a few leaves on the plant so it can keep photosynthesizing and pushing out new shoots.
This is the key move in how to harvest Chinese broccoli for a second round, because the plant regrows from those side buds.
4. Harvest in the Cool of the Day
Harvesting Chinese broccoli in the early morning gives you the crispest stems.
That’s when the plant is fully hydrated and the sugars are at their peak.
Avoid harvesting Chinese broccoli in the heat of the afternoon, when stems can wilt quickly.
When to Harvest Chinese Broccoli
Timing is half the battle when it comes to how to harvest Chinese broccoli.
Chinese broccoli is usually ready to harvest about 60 to 80 days after planting, depending on the variety and weather.
The best way to harvest Chinese broccoli is to trust your eyes rather than the calendar.
Check for tight buds, sturdy stems, and leaves that are deep green and unblemished.
If you’re growing Chinese broccoli through the cooler months, the harvest window is longer, and the flavor is often sweeter.
In warmer climates, you can harvest Chinese broccoli earlier, before the heat makes the stems bolt and turn bitter.
How to Get More Harvests from Each Plant
One of the best things about how to harvest Chinese broccoli is that you don’t just get one cutting per plant.
With the right technique, harvesting Chinese broccoli keeps the plant productive for weeks.
1. Cut and Come Again
When you harvest Chinese broccoli, the plant responds by sending out side shoots from the leaf axils.
These side shoots are smaller than the main head but just as tasty.
Keep harvesting Chinese broccoli every week or so and you’ll keep the shoots coming.
2. Feed Your Plants After Harvesting
After you harvest Chinese broccoli, give the plants a light feed of nitrogen-rich fertilizer or compost tea.
This gives them the energy to push out new growth.
Healthy, well-fed plants are the secret to how to harvest Chinese broccoli multiple times from one planting.
3. Watch for Pests and Bolting
After you harvest Chinese broccoli, keep an eye out for aphids, caterpillars, and slugs hiding in the tender new growth.
Also watch for the plant bolting, which happens fast in hot weather.
If you spot a tall, flowering stalk, harvest Chinese broccoli right away before the whole plant turns woody.
So, How to Harvest Chinese Broccoli?
How to harvest Chinese broccoli is really a matter of timing and technique.
Harvest Chinese broccoli when the main stem is about 1 inch thick and the flower buds are tight and green.
Use a clean, sharp knife, cut 1 to 2 inches above the soil, and leave a few leaves behind so the plant regrows.
Harvesting Chinese broccoli in the cool of the day and feeding your plants afterward keeps those tasty side shoots coming.
Now you know exactly how to harvest Chinese broccoli so you get the most from every single plant.