Question: Do I have to tie the leaves up around my cauliflowers’ heads like my folks used to do?

Answer: We have done that for decades in an effort to keep the heads pure white. When they’re exposed to sunlight, they may develop chlorophyll and take on a green shade. That’s not the least bit harmful, however, so you can certainly bypass tying the leaves if you wish. If you do decide to blanch the heads, use large, soft rubber bands to pull the top leaves up and over the heads as they mature. It should also be noted that there are orange, purple and other colors of cauliflower showing up in garden catalogs and nurseries.