When To Harvest Cauliflower
The cauliflower you plant will generally be ready for harvest one to two weeks after blanching after you tie the cauliflower leaves with twine or clothespins.
When to harvest cauliflower. Warm weather during growth of the leafy portion of the plant helps build a large plant leading to a larger head. The mature head should be compact firm and white. Look for these signs to know its time to harvest your cauliflower.
Cauliflower is ready to harvest 70 to 90 days after sowing seed. Early cauliflower varieties can be harvested as early as mid-June late varieties with a relatively late planting date until October. Ideally the heads will grow to 6 to 8 inches in diameter.
Youll want to pick the cauliflower once the head is full but before it has begun to separate usually at about 6 to 12 inches 15-31 cm in diameter is when to cut cauliflower. This is called blanching and it protects the head from the sun. The cauliflower is ready to harvest seven to 12 days after blanching.
The cauliflower head is a collection of flower buds. While most varieties of cauliflower are white some are actually orange or purple. The individual florets will get fatter and then will spread apart slightly and take on a less tightly packed quality.
When the heads are compact white and firm then it is time to harvest them. Its a good idea to keep an eye on it to determine when to harvest cauliflower and avoid its becoming too mature which results in grainy cauliflower. To find all the best brands for you.
Blanching is a special process where youll place the leaves of the cauliflower over the head. Cauliflower is ready for harvest in the spring or fall depending on the variety and when you plant it. Pointy green Romanesco cauliflower is a fall crop.