Brussels sprouts: how do I avoid failing the next time??

I know Brussels sprouts can be grown here (Georgia, USA), I have seen them from the road in people's winter gardens while driving on the highway.  I do have the problem of hot summers to contend with, and going with that an active insect season.

I planted seed in containers last year, in September if I recall correctly. September and October can be either cool or hot, I have experienced 38 C in October recently. From what I have read, maybe that is not early enough? Should I try starting seeds in mid-summer? Maybe try starting plants at 30 to 45 day intervals starting in July, see which ones do well, which do not?

From June through October, high temperatures 38 C or over are possible. In June, September and October, highs anywhere from 20 C to 30 or 35 C are more typical. Most of July and August, highs of 28 to 35 C are typical.  We are frost-free May through September, frost is very rare in April and October.

The plants I did grow looked healthy. They grew fast, 2+ feet in diameter and 2 feet tall but then bolted. They only "sprouts" produced were mere leafy Tufts, not fit to eat. I provided compost with extra calcium and fertilizer, I don't think that's the problem. I've read about providing brassicas with boron as a micronutrient, but have not tried that yet.

Sorry for the long post, but I would like to try again, thought it would be good to tell you what I tried the first time around.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Living on the South Coast, we are a warmer part of the country throughout the year.
Never had any problems growing sprouts over the years.
I plant my Sprouts out in May that were sown in April.
It is important to really firm the ground when transplanting.
They must not get dry, they do seem to drink water heavily in their first few months. I water them a few times a week during the Summer months.

I'm not sure they are that fussy about the soil itself, but some goodness obviously helps. I in April, cover the ground in a little homemade compost, but do not dig it, so keeping it as compact as possible. The worms would have pulled most of the compost down by May.
I use a dibber to make a hole and pop the plant in. Spacing a good 18 inches in all direction apart.
I do add a small amount of fish/blood/bone or general fertiliser in mid August and then leave them alone until picking from November to February.
If there are gales in the Autumn, I do put a small temporary windbreak around each of the stalks of bamboo poles and mesh, just so they do not bend over too much.

Have tried a few times over the years planting some out in mid to late June and they just do not produce Sprouts (well just pea size ones), just making sprout tops. Seems they need the extra months to get them going.

Hello what variety of Brussel sprouts did you grow ad there is one that grows with leafy sprouts ,try sowing at a lower temperature 36c is nearly 100Farhenheit ,have you considered a drip fed computer controlled system it puts the water at the roots preventing evaporation,try less fertiliser make them work for food by getting their roots down into the soil ,when the leaves look pale give them food   jezza

Hi Jezza. Thank you for your reply .

The variety is Catskill.  Based on the package photo, the sprouts seem to form tight heads when grown properly. 

I have no doubt that a computer-controlled drip would more precisely deliver water, but I'm trying to stay on a low-tech gardening budget  . I want to try again, and will, but if I had to rely on a high tech watering system, I might just leave raising sprouts to the farmers  .

I will take your fertilizer suggestion to heart, and build on that.

G&R

Thank you, many good suggestions in your post!  Yes, something is making my sprouts think they are annuals.

Catskill does not advertise bolt-resistance, that could be the problem.

I likely will need to do a bit more thinking before I get this all sorted out. I will file these suggestions away, maybe I will get the problem sorted out this year or next through try and try again.