Cauliflower is a hardy vegetable that thrives in many climates. It’s also pretty easy to grow, but you do need to pay attention to the seasons and when your cauliflower should be harvested. If you harvest cauliflower too early or too late, it won’t be as flavorful or taste as good as it could have if you’d waited just a little longer (and vice versa).
In this article, I’ll explain when you should cauliflower and how long it can stay in the ground before being ready for harvest.
When To Harvest Cauliflower
You can harvest cauliflower at any point in its growth cycle, but if you want the best yield from your plants, you should wait until the head is fully developed and has stopped growing before harvesting.
When it’s time for harvest, look for cauliflower heads that have a firm appearance and are free of green leaves or other signs of disease or insect damage that may have been caused by poor growing conditions during the season. To ensure quality when picking up heads from the ground after they fall over naturally (as they do when ripe), examine them closely before taking them off the stalk.
When Is The Best Month To Harvest Cauliflower?
If you have planted your cauliflower in April or May, the best month to harvest them would be in late August or early September.
However, you can harvest them a bit earlier, but it would not be fully developed and won’t taste as great.
How to Harvest Cauliflower
When it comes to harvesting cauliflower, the best way to harvest them is to cut it from the head. If you live in a warm climate area, the cauliflower will regrow.
With a sharp knife, start by trimming off any leaves from the bottom of the stem.
After removing all the leaves, cut the head of the cauliflower at an angle and pull up gently to remove the head.
Storing Cauliflower After Harvesting
There are two methods that can be used to store cauliflower after you have harvest them.
One method is to keep them stored in the fridge. After harvesting the cauliflower, gently brush off any dirt and debris and place them into the crisper section of the fridge. When you are ready to cook them, then you can wash them. Washing them before storing the vegetable could cause them to become soggy.
Another storage method is to freeze them. Start by cutting off all of the leaves from each head, then freeze individual florets individually by blanching them first in boiling water for about 2 minutes, then immediately placing them into cold water. This will stop the cauliflowers from cooking any further.
Then place them into a freezer bag, press on the bag to remove excess air, label it with the date of freezing and place it into the freezer.
Conclusion
Cauliflower is a beautiful and delicious vegetable. It’s also easy to grow at home, so get out there and plant some! If you follow the tips we’ve outlined in this article, you should have no problem growing some tasty cauliflower right in your own backyard.
