Don't know, this is my first year growing it too, but I've read it doesn't taste the same after it starts flowering. And, I'm in zone 10 and mine are just starting to get heads now, if you've had that problem already I guess I'd better watch mine closely....

Tom

I think The hard cold made them flower they still taste ok but they are tougher

The stuff at Publix looks just fine.

Julia

Next time when you plant broccoli make sure you add organic materials to the soil along with some fertilizer. If you did not get a full head maybe your soil needs nutrients. That is number one in veggie growing, a well nourished soil.

My broccoli today, larger heads

{{gwi:26188}}

Smaller ones

Silvia

Broccoli is a cold weather crop and as soon as heads form watch for flowering, try and pick immediatly then... Cauliflower is related and as soon as a head appears you need to tie the leaves over it so it stays white, otherwise it gets off color and hard.. they are heavy feeders so need lots of manure and compost.. sally

your results may differ from silvia's...

i never quite understand what causes broc to bolt. sometimes big heads will stay green and tight for weeks, and then smaller offshoots will sprout seemingly immediately. it's likely caused by multiple combinations of many things. anyway, i eat them sprouted. they really don't taste any different...