Grow Your Own Magazine

This is where I demonstrate how little I know... I have 6 broccoli (green heading) and 6 cauliflower (autumn giant) seedlings. Does that mean that if they grow to maturity I should get 6 of each or does each plant produce more than once?

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pjh75

We sow the seed, nature grows the seed, we eat the seed.

As far as I am aware, one only on the cauliflower, however the broccoli will probably form shoots after the main head has been removed so be patient and see what happens.

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Happy Gardening,
Shirley

http://www.honeyjukes.co.uk

Cauliflower = one head per plant, but if you cut the head and leave the root in the ground you may get sideshoots which develop mini-heads (like sprouting broccoli). Your broccoli is described as heading, so I presume it's like calabrese with one main head. Same advice as for caulis, if you cut the head you may get sideshoots.

Cauliflower Autumn Giant - I would expect just the one head but as previously stated you may get secondary florets (don't expect them just look on them as a bonus).
Green headed broccoli - again I assume this is calabrese - you will get one main head then a lot of side shoots which you can pick like you would a purple sprouting variety.
Hope this helps

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Rat

British by birth
Scottish by the Grace of God

[size="1"]Journal updated Tuesday 5th August

Hello, remember- you can cook and eat all leaves from the broccoli and the cauliflower. I'll keep my plants going untill we've finnished off all the leaves. You could also try giving the plants a good feeding after harvesting the cauli and broccoli to boost leaf growth .

How do you eat the leaves then? Like cabbage, spinach or what? (any nice recipes?? )

My experience is that that leaves of broccoli and cauliflower are tough as old boots. I've tried cooking some in the past but they were unpleasant.

Anything is worth a try, but remember that these plants are bred for the quality of their flowering heads rather than their leaves so don't be surprised if they are inedible.