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(Best months for planting Brussels sprouts in United Kingdom - temperate/warm regions)

• Easy to grow.
• Harvest in 85-95 days
• Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed.
• Best planted at soil temperatures between 7°C and 30°C.
• Space plants: 45-60cm

Grown for its small (typically 2.5 cm diameter) leafy green buds, which resemble miniature cabbages.

Better in cooler areas. In warm areas they are likely to be infested with aphids Pick formed sprouts from the bottom of the stems leaving the plant growing.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Brussels sprouts

Remove any discoloured outer leaves.
Cut in half and steam with other vegetables.
Do not overcook as that produces the distinctive smell that puts people off eating Brussels sprouts!
They go well with a chopped tomato and onion mix.
Traditionally served with roasted chestnuts for Xmas dinner in UK.

Your comments and tips

20 Jan 09 glenda (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

my sprouts grow well but the fruit is only pea size, what am I doing wrong

31 Jan 09 Sally (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

What can I spray on my Brussell sprouts and brocoli and cabbage to stop them being eaten? Would like something I have in the kitchen that is not toxic please.

09 Feb 09 Trinette (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

You can make a "tea" by boiling chilies and garlic in some water. When it cools spray it on. Haven't tried it on Brussell Sprouts but works on brocolli. You have to be fairly consistent and spray 1 - 2 times a day. I have also read if you squish soem of whatever it is doing the damage and soak in some water that will repel them also. Good luck

01 Mar 09 Alan (Australia - temperate climate)

I suggest you do a "google" on a product Yates sell under the name of "Success". (Do a google on "Yates success") The product is a naturally occurring bacteria found in the ground. Would that suit?

02 Apr 09 Sally (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Thanks for the help. My Brussell Sprouts are all leaves and dont look like they are going to firm up, what might be the problem?

24 May 09 Alison (Australia - temperate climate)

My sprouts are pea-sized too. Have used Thrive every fortnight for 3 months and some plants don't even have "peas" yet. Easy to grow? Don't know about that - maybe its me. Any suggestions? Thanks

31 May 09 Shane Paterson (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

My brussel sprouts have grown the leaves etc and to a reasonable height but no sign of "fruit" yet. Instead the heart of the flowering leaves is covered in soft substance, bit like insect poop. I also have bugs on them, I spray them with insect spray but they keep coming back (I think they're aphids). We've had a lot of rain so not sure if this is the problem? Can you help me.. thanks

15 Jun 09 dick ward (Australia - temperate climate)

when should i pick off the leaves on my sprouts

26 Jun 09 (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

my favorite sprouts recipe is lightly steamed sprouts finished in the oven at about 180 for 20 minutes with cream, cooked bacon pieces and ground pepper. One of our plants has small firm sprouts but the others are just loose leaves- no heart- can't make sense of it

09 Aug 09 Chris (Australia - temperate climate)

Alison, they do need a good winter chill, even frosts to form good sized sprouts. Force feeding won't help.