Brussells Sprouts blowing off already. Paaarp!

I too am trying to learn how to grow sprouts.  This is my 4th year, and my sprouts have blown again but not as bad as previously.   Cascade F1 and Darkmar.     

I really thumped down the soil so it was like concrete.  I also put windbreak netting around them.

I have read that F1 varieties are better at resisting blowing, so it's all F1s for me next year.

Looks like we will both be having sprout leaf pate for Christmas Dinner

Looks like we will both be having sprout leaf pate for Dinner

I've got a recipe for sprout salad where you just bung 'em in the food processor, if you wanted it?

My sprouts are on a 'low simmer' in readiness for the Big Day, as per instructions from Mr Terry Wogan. Should be soft enough by the 25th of next month 

Fi sprouts are better to grow. I have grown Cascade they are good, and are shorter plants so tend not to get rocked about as much.

A heavy clay soil is better for sprouts or a baron area and not too rich of a soil.

I compact the soil first, use a wooden dibber eactly the same size as the pot I grew them in and knock the sprout plant out and plant it straight in to that hole. This enables the sprout to feel its feet are firm in the ground which sprouts need and then I back heel around also.

Another way is to dig a six inch wide trench about 3 or 4 inches deep to remove the better top soil. Then compact this trench by walking firmly over it, plant the sprouts in the trench, still leaving the good soil out. About this time of the year the soil can be put back in and firmed around the plants to add extra support.

Just an idea for people to use if it suits them to do so I am not trying to tell anyone what to do you understand.

Clairebeau I am sorry your first year has not been the success you would of wanted and deserve but in all honestly it has been one of the worst years for gardening More experienced gardeners have not had such as good a year neither plenty of failures and non starters for them too. Please keep your chin up as there is always next year.

Quote from: DD. on November 13, 2012, 07:41

Quote from: allot2learn on November 12, 2012, 22:20

sprout top spring cabbage

Huh? 

It fooled her. She thought it was delicious and had much more flavour than "normal" spring cabb....................... until I pointed out that it wasn't spring yet. 

Nonetheless, it got the seal of approval. 

Nor was it cabbage!