How do you harvest a cauliflower?

[newgardengirl]

I think one of my cauliflowers is ready, although I am slightly disappointed by the small size of the head, but hey, another one bolted so I might as well harvest this one while it's still in the right condition!

I have absolutely no idea what to do - do I just cut the head off and leave the plant in the ground, and does more edible stuff grow through? Or is that it - do I need to dig up the entire plant and put a new one in its place? And does the same apply to the one that bolted - should I just dig it up altogether and plant a new one?

I'm sure you can tell I'm still a beginner!

[shirlthegirl43]

Try just cutting the head off, I think I have read on here that like calabrese, some cauli will put out little shoots that you can cut later. When my mum grew veg years ago we used to pull the whole plant and throw the greens to the chickens.

I am sure more experienced cauli growers will be along shortly to say I am wrong but better safe than sorry

[shirlthegirl43]

Forgot to say - enjoy eating it!

[Cutecumber]

I would pull the whole thing, personally.

Cauliflowers are bred to give you curds, not leaves - they are generally tough and unpleasant. You can try leaving them to sprout, but don't expect anything worth eating.

I would think you would be better off removing the plant and using the space for some late roots or lettuce.

[jacob marley]

Just cut the head off if you leave the root in the ground it is some were for slugs to hide and it will dry that bit of ground out not that it will matter at the momment had one yesterday was nice hope yours is jacob

[bramble]

Take the whole thing, root and all. Cauli's just grow one head and then thats it. Enjoy.

[Vegmonkey]

I thought that about Cauliflowers until we cut one last week and it had a little evil twin growing off the same stem underneath it...beginning to wish i cut the whole plant up, as not sure this little fella is gonna make it...pic on blog.

Gonna use the space for some lovely tasty radishes!