Are they ready to pick?

[ninnymary]

This is my first time growing broccoli and cauliflower. They are about the size of a softball. One of the cauliflower started getting sort of "ripening" marks the other one is pure white. The broccoli doesn't appear to be super perfect and is still quite small compare to stuff I see at the store.

We've been having rains and I'm not sure if the broccoli and the one cauliflower with the beig

ish color is starting to go bad.

When are they ready to harvest? What should I be looking for?

Mary

 

[ninnymary]

Here is a picture of the cauliflower that looks nice, white, and perfect. Ha

 

[catjac1975]

Watch them carefully. They are small, which happens-they do not like it too hot. Watch that the flower does not start spreading apart. You will learn how to tell. From the holes in the leaves you have cabbage looper. The will not hurt you but are unappetizing. Soak them in salt water, check them over, steam lightly, and then take off your glasses when eating.

 

[catjac1975]

I had my best cauliflower crop this year for the first time in 10 years or more-I even quit a few years. It may have just been a great year for cruciferous vegetables. However, I bought cauliflower seed from a company which described them as for the Northeast climate. Try selecting your seed for you climate and try a few varieties to find what works best. They are heavy feeders and need limestone in my area to do well.

 

[Carol Dee]

I can't help with the cauliflower. But our broccoli never got big heads like the ones in the grocery store. So I waited.... Do not wait too long. It only take a few days past ready to go to flower. Once we pinched off the heads that bolted we got lots of smaller heads on side shoots. Enjoy.

 

[ninnymary]

The guy at the nursery said they were kind of hard to grow. I just bought the six pack of cauliflower and broccoli there. I would hope they are for my area. I have a feeling they are not going to get very big.

Mary

 

[digitS']

I'm not sure if you can eat them too early. The worst that could happen is they are not as large as they could've been, right?

It takes some experience to get the largest broccoli heads possible. Separation of the buds is to be avoided, as Cat' notes. Also, the buds darken as they mature so the center is light green until it isn't! Can't wait too long, tho.

Cauliflower is a mystery because of my inexperience... if they are losing their bright whiteness, that might mean they are sliding past prime.

Steve

 

[baymule]

I have only grown purple cauliflower, so didn't have the brown to deal with. Don't you have to wrap the leaves up over the white cauliflower and secure then with a rubber band to "blanch" it and keep it white? Mary, I think exposure to the sun will brown it, but it doesn't hurt it, you can just shave those parts off. If it starts to branch out and loses its compact status, cut it immediately and eat it. If you don't, it will separate and grow stems and bloom. It is still edible, so don't throw it away!

Broccoli, same thing on the separating. I have even cut them in bloom, picked the flowers off (eaten raw right there in the garden LOL) and cooked the broccoli. Once you cut the center head, the plant will send out side shoots that you can cut and eat too!

Your chickens will enjoy the leaves from your broccoli and cauliflower. While they are growing, trim off the lower leaves right before they turn yellowish for your girls, they will love them! When the plants are done, pull and toss in the coop. Next day, you can remove the stems.

 

[baymule]

Those yellowish leaves I see in your picture, pick and give to the girls!

 

[ninnymary]

Thanks Bay, I hadn't even thought about the leaves. I usuall don't touch a plant's leaves until the veggie is harvested. Except for kale of course.

Mary