Concur. Arcadia is late variety that should head the last of October with your planting schedule. It is supposed to be more cold hardy than most. But most broccoli varieties can stand down to about 23 degrees F when heading.

We are unlikely to get that cold until at least the second week of November, and that would be in a fairly cold fall. Some years we make it into December.

"The plants are large and healthy, but so far, no sign of a head even starting."

That is what I like to see, nice large big leafed plants before any tiny heads start to form. Biggest fear is a small plant with an early head showing which usually results as a smallish head, dinner for one. My first heads popped up on my plants about 10 days ago and 1 or 2 heads are almost ready to pick now at about 8+" in diameter.

I have Arcadia, Bay Meadows, and Early Dividend going this fall and all were planted on August 10. I've already harvested all 14 of the Early Dividend main heads and the Bay Meadows and Arcadia are about 1/2 way to full size heads with the largest of both at around 4-5". IIRC you said that you planted August 15 in a earlier thread so I would think you should see the heads start to show any day now. My Snow Crown cauliflower are starting to head now with the largest about 3".

This is one of the Arcadia or Bay Meadows about a week ago and the second is some of the Early Dividend heads harvested last weekend.

I spoke too soon.

@Hairmmetalforever -YAY!!! sometimes it feels like watching water boil.....

We blanched and froze 7 very nice sized heads this morning which translates into 24 meals (or 12 dinners for 2). Growing "Lieutenant" variety, it was the only one offered by nearly all of the local nurseries and home improvement centers back in Aug. Nice smooth sweet taste even without butter. Have another 9 heads maturing.

Looking good Hairmetal! I figured they would show up pretty soon based on your planting date. I harvested one 'head' of Arcadia on Wednesday. For some reason the head wasn't forming normally and looked more like a bunch of side shoots bunched together with an uneven crown. It wasn't bolting, it just formed like this from the get-go. My other 5 Arcadia are forming normal smooth domed crowns. IIRC I had one or 2 Arcadia do this same thing last fall as well.

Maybe Farmerdill will know what causes it or if it is just something some varieties are prone to do from time to time.

vgkg - I think Lieutenant is supposed to be the replacement for Pacman. I haven't tried it yet but it sounds like a real good one. I still have one unopened packet of Pacman and a few seeds left in another. I didn't plant out any Pacman myself this year but I grew a few for my neighbors. It sounds like you and vgqn are set for the winter on broccoli! I need to blanch and freeze a few more heads myself this weekend as well as some Early Dividend side shoots and the second cutting of broccolini spears.

I was surprised that so many plant vendors including Bonnie have been pushing Lieutenant. It is a good variety, but was developed for commercial once over harvest. Very stingy for side shoots.