When it looks like the broccoli they sell at the store, it's time to harvest it. Really, that's what I do (or DID, before I stopped growing it...after I ate a green caterpillar in it. Don't ask. :))

Yuk!!! LOL Susan. I only laugh because I know exactly what you mean! I used to soak mine and cut and inspect meticulously. I don't want to use pesticides on my food so I came to the conclusion if I grew it or cauliflower again I would put them under a floating row cover.

I judge my broc heads with a slight squeeze, if it's hard I'll leave it a while longer, if it's spongy it's time to pick or slightly overdue. There's a sweet spot in-between.

Usually it takes about a week or so from button to harvest.

When they look like these they are ready. For me it is closer to 2 weeks from when you first see the button head to the time it is ready for harvest. It sounds like your plants may have buttoned which is when a head only gets to a couple inches across and then stops growing. It can happen for a a few reasons like if the plants were exposed to cold temps when young or if the plants were root bound in their pots prior to transplant.

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