This is a good example of the difference between commercial veg' growers, and backyard growers such as myself.
A commercial grower would simply remove the head of this Calabrese plant, and ditch the rest.
However I wouldn't dream of doing such a thing as there are always secondary growths ready to be harvested.
You may have to enlarge the second picture to see what I mean, but there are at least four secondary growths which will easily make another couple of meals in a few days time. The commercial grower wouldn't be interested.
The global wastage must be enormous. Shame on them!
Yes...and I think that those side sprouts are tastier, too!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, a commercial grower will grow from F1 seed....so that the whole field comes to harvest at the same time....as an allotmenteer/veg gardener growing for ourselves, we want crops that spread their harvest period.
Quite right. It's OK with Carrots or Squashes, but suddenly having dozens of Cauli's or Cabbages all at the same time is a nightmare.
Deleteevery time that i read a post like that i want to start growing my own vegetables, but some how i never do it.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you just do a 2 square metre plot; you'd be amazed by how much you could grow, and very little weeding!
DeleteThe small tomatoes "tumbler" is a good vegetable to start with as they can be grown three to a window box or handling basket as they don't need staking just feed occasionally with liquid feed.Haveyou ever tried them Cro or a similar mini tomato?
DeleteWe used to grow 'Tumbler' years ago back in England. Nowadays we have plenty of room so no need; I usually grow several types of cherry toms, yellow, orange, round, pear shaped, etc. Lovely, and very sweet.
DeleteWhat a waste for a home gardener to pull out broccoli after the main head is harvested! Room is precious in the veggie patch and thought should to be given to the 'value for space ratio'. Broccoli takes up quite a bit of space so getting multiple harvests (albeit smaller) is a real plus. I wish cauliflower had side shoots!
ReplyDeleteI love the bonus heads of Broccoli, they are a gardener's reward.
DeleteIt is shocking how much waste there is in the food industry isn't it Cro ....... I watched a Jamie Oliver programme about it as he is on a quest to stop the watste, and lorry loads of vegetables are thrown away or fed to animals just because they aren't the perfect shape !! At least the supermarkets are now selling ' wonky veg ' at reduced prices now ..... but how ridiculous does that sound ? Some of my most delicious food memories are green/yellow tomotoes of very odd shapes, eaten in the sunshine in Spain and France !! XXXX
ReplyDeleteIf growers left the de-headed plants in the ground for an extra few weeks, they could then sell the extra growths on a PYO basis and make some extra cash.
DeleteAs a vegetarian, those side shoots would be my first choice!
ReplyDeleteWe've already eaten the main head, so we have the others to come. Tomorrow maybe.
DeleteGood to know. I have never grown any broccoli type. We have a very small space for vegetables, but may have to give some a try just for the fun of it.
ReplyDeleteThese grow quite quickly.... about 8 weeks and you have a good meal.
DeleteSummer is about the small farms (not commercial) and what I can grow in my raised beds. I am lucky to live in an agricultural area and can enjoy the products of my neighbors.
ReplyDeleteBuy local; that's the answer.
DeleteI didn't know that commercial farmers did this sort of one-shot harvesting. It certainly seems better to let the plant follow its natural course.
ReplyDeleteI also think your photographs of the calabrese plant shows some beautiful leaves.
Best wishes.
You should see my Red Cabbages... amazing leaves.
DeleteThe amount of food wasted is appalling Cro - this is but one example.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid it's all too common amongst commercial growers.
DeletePaul's thinking about growing rice next year...
ReplyDeletePaddy fields as far as the eye can see. I think he may be right.
DeleteNot viable on big scale to go crawling round for second sprouty bits. Supermarkets barely make first crop viable as it is. Waste is a result of supermarkets cancelling orders at last minute and/or wriggling out of contracts and much of it goes for animal feed esp carrots. Mishaped fruit and vegetables you can blame EU for setting rules and stupid UK for following them. Dont blame the growers.
ReplyDeleteBefore ploughing it all in, let people come and pick their own for half the price!
DeleteThey, the people, cant be bothered. And what's that, ugh, they might get some dirt on their hands. No the people only know spend spend spend and buy it pre packed and washed.
DeleteI shall remember this handy hint when we eventually grow broccoli, which is something we have not as yet tried. We did have a good crop of purple sprouting broccoli but unfortunately it was forgotten about until it was almost past its best. It was at this point that Himself decided to take over the veg plots! I am good at starting things off, but not so good at weeding and harvesting later on. My excuse is that I do have a lot of other things to do!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like all of us Vera. The planting and harvesting are the fun bits, the weeding not.
DeleteI always think those side shoots are even better than the main head.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they are.
DeleteHave you ever grown Romanesce Cauli? After the large curd is removed the sprouting spurs that come after look a little like asparagus in shape and are very sweet.
ReplyDeleteI did grow it once; not very successfully.
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