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Couple of questions about calabrese

tuffnelljohntuffnelljohn Posts: 284
in Fruit & veg
Hi all,

My calabrese head is about 20 cm across, so Im going to harvest it. 

1) Ive got to go away for a week. Is it ok to leave in the ground like cabbage/leeks/onions, or should I harvest now and hope it keeps a week in the fridge?

2) Does anyone eat the leaves of calabrese?

3) If I just cut the head off, will new growth (florets) appear?

Thanks


Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I don't think it will keep that long without starting to go yellow so pick it, break it into florets and freeze it or try freezing it whole.    

    The leaves are like cabbage but may be a bit tougher so try them and see.

    New growth should appear - it's like dead heading flowering plants to encourage more buds to mature.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    If you leave it on the plant, it will flower (bolt). I agree with Obelixx - it most likely won't keep so probably best to harvest and freeze it. You'll probably get small florets, like the 'tender stem' stuff they sell in supermarkets as side shoots from the stump once you've cut the main head.
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • tuffnelljohntuffnelljohn Posts: 284
    I harvested that calabrese and got 4 dinners out of it! Very nice.

    My other calebrese however are very small compared. (my hand gives sense of scale):







    The florets are not nearly as tightly clumped. Are these showing signs of bolting? Should I harvest them now - even though theyre small - or risk leaving them longer?

    How big would you expect a calebrese head to get before harvesting it?



  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I think those look ready to eat. I’d pick and eat them over the next few days. 
    Enjoy … I think you’ve done well with those. 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • IgrowfromseedIgrowfromseed Posts: 284
    Did you net them to keep the butterflies off? Otherwise check for caterpillars, unless you want the extra protein! Lots of secondary florets on mine but whitefly starting to be a nuisance. 
  • tuffnelljohntuffnelljohn Posts: 284
    Thankyou! Ill go out and harvest them later.
    Ill leave the plants in the ground and see if I get any new spouts emerge.
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