Calabrese broccoli question

[star10]

I have some massive broccoli plants in my raised beds, which have just started growing tiny little broccoli's in the middle. (I'm so proud!!)   ;D

Having never grown these before, I was wondering can the leaves be taken off the plant or trimmed back abit?, would this make the broccoli grow any better? Also, are the leaves edible? 

Thank you for your replies xx

star10

[star10]

[tim]

I wouldn't fiddle with the leaves. Let well alone until you have a 4-5" head. But pick well before it shows signs of yellowing - going to seed.

[allaboutliverpool]

Every year I have the same problem. I plant 12 calabrese plants and they all mature at exactly the same time.
There is too much to freeze and there are lots of runner beans and peas etc ready at the same time.
Once again I will vow to only grow three or four next year!

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments1_homepage.html

[Vegemite]

all about liverpool- have you tried making broccoli and stilton soup, then freezing that?

I am sure there are recipes on here, but it is delish and totally easy even for non cooks

for each calabrese flower head:
chop one of your fab allotment onions, fry in olive oil
chop two of your spuds (skin on fine) and chop up the broccoli/calabrese
"stir fry" for a couple of mins until it all looks moist and shiny
pour lots of water on top and sprinkle in one stock cube.
boil for half hour
crumble in some stilton
blend until smooth

no food waste there!

[tim]

Are non-F1 types more suitable for continuity?

[Tee Gee]

Don't remove the leaves as this is where additional broccoli spears will come from once you have harvested the head.

[PurpleHeather]

Last year I had to many and wanted the space. So I tried the leaves of those I had lifted as 'cabbage' found it a bit on the tough side, but OH liked it.

[realfood]

Yes, non-F1 are more suitable for continuity. I also sow just 3 or 4 of each of several varieties which are claimed to "head" at slightly different times. Good catalogues will give you this information.

[Tee Gee]

I grow two types where one 'heads' about two to three weeks before the other.

This works well for me by the time I harvested variety 1, variety 2 is ready, then by the time I have harvested variety 2 the secondary spears have formed on variety 1.

Then when these are finished the secondary spears are ready on variety 2.

In this way about 20 plants give me a steady crop for about 6-8 weeks.

I also grow an even later variety which matures about 8-10 weeks after the first lot meaning; I am generally harvesting for about three months.