Small broccoli heads are a common problem, we're afraid.
Broccoli is a cool weather crop. Warm weather makes the plant flower (or bolt). However, you do need 55 to 60 days of cool weather for the plant to mature. Specifically, the temperatures need to be between 65 and 80 degrees—no cooler, no warmer. Yes, broccoli is very very picky with a narrow window for planting! (See our planting chart for dates that fit your area.)
When you plant broccoli, it's great that you added lots of organic matter. We might advise mixing in some fertilizer that's heavier on the nitrogen; this feeds a fast-growing head. It sounds as if you were supplying a constant stream of water for moist soil--also important.
Broccoli in the garden will never match what's in the grocery store, though it tastes much better.
At this point, you can cut the flowers off and the main head and see if your plant will grow some bite-size side heads.
We're impressed by your diligence. Gardening is a never-ending learning curve. If we may, we'd suggest an easier plant next year? See this article:
http://www.almanac.com/vegetable-garden-planning-for-beginners
Small broccoli heads are a common problem, we're afraid.
Broccoli is a cool weather crop. Warm weather makes the plant flower (or bolt). However, you do need 55 to 60 days of cool weather for the plant to mature. Specifically, the temperatures need to be between 65 and 80 degrees—no cooler, no warmer. Yes, broccoli is very very picky with a narrow window for planting! (See our planting chart for dates that fit your area.)
When you plant broccoli, it's great that you added lots of organic matter. We might advise mixing in some fertilizer that's heavier on the nitrogen; this feeds a fast-growing head. It sounds as if you were supplying a constant stream of water for moist soil--also important.
Broccoli in the garden will never match what's in the grocery store, though it tastes much better.
At this point, you can cut the flowers off and the main head and see if your plant will grow some bite-size side heads.
We're impressed by your diligence. Gardening is a never-ending learning curve. If we may, we'd suggest an easier plant next year? See this article:
http://www.almanac.com/vegetable-garden-planning-for-beginners