My broccoli, help required please.

[Lurch]

This is my first post and also the first time i have grown vegetables.

I have planted broccoli which from the seed packet states its "Autumn Calabrese". Currently i have plants which are about 2 - 3 feet high and has heads of between 1.5inch to the size of a tennis ball.

My question is should i be harvesting these now as i have had one head go to flower. I seem to have side shoots as well with smaller heads on some plants, which i think is strange as the picture on the packet was of a large head as you would buy in the supermarket, not the sizes i have. Also, is there a way of slowing the flowering of the plant? and getting the heads larger?

ps, I have picked one head to try and it taste great.

[vicky]

Pick them now, the smaller sideshoots will continue to develop into smaller heads. I don't know how to slow them down except sow the seeds later next year.
They're never as big as the supermarket ones - but they will taste better!!!

And welcome Lurch, I like the name!

[Demeter]

Hi lurch - dunno (my first year with broccoli, as with everything else) but wanted to say hi and welcome to a new poster.
My big brother's nickname at school was Lurch...

[rustylady]

Pick your broccoli heads before the heads get loose and turn into flowers. Calabrese covers a multitude of sins, could even be PSB in disguise. With any type of broccoli or calabrese you will get small sideshoots develop after you've cut the main head. They are all delicious.

[Snadger]

Wish mine was ready!

[Snadger]

...................................................They're never as big as the supermarket ones - but they will taste better

Can you eat the supermarket ones? I always thought they were plastic(taste like it!) and just for show!

[Dipzy]

Hi, we've cut 3 extremely large brocci heads now and the lower side heads are doing well. I had to share some with my friend I was so chuffed with them and couldn't possibly eat that much brocci.

[Two_Sheds]

Hmmm. Autumn Calabrese in July. That's global warming for ya.

[vegman]

with ref to becoming ready all at once - I recall someone who used to break the leaves of Caulies and fold over the head so it was "in the dark" supposed to slow down maturity and stop it flowering. I might try covering a few heads this year with something to see if it works!

[Two_Sheds]

I thought you covered cauliflower curds with leaves to stop the light turning them yellow? Blanching them, in effect.