As @degsy stated plant production particularly in a nursery is all about growing media is paramount & Gardeners World Monty Don is clueless his plants in his green houses are chorotic in coloring starved to death his pond under deciduous trees...
Yeah, not sure what type you have there, but I always use the young leaves next to the florets, but leave the main ones because the plants will keep on pushing out small florets.
We have been told the leaves are like a lovely spring cabbage....don't know if it's true but we will do some with Sundays roast. Florets not quite there yet👍