[pushrod]

well after being battered by caterpillars in the summer and falling over in september they now look healthy except for a distinct lack of tight ready to eat sprouts. They look as if they have opened up already is this normal at this time of year or are we looking forward to a sprout-free Christmas  

[SnooziSuzi]

depends on how firm the soil is, pushrod.

unlike a lot of veg sprouts like to be firmed into the soil, however I've heard (probably unreliably) that sprouts will 'blow' if they're started too soon too.

Maybe try stamping (carefully) around the soil and see if later sprouts will grow with tight buds.

[pushrod]

Cheers Suzi, am off out there now with my wellies and flashlight  

[richyrich7]

Suzi's right nearly all brassicas need firming in to do well.

[Sheriff Sprout]

yeh I have also learnt my lesson this year with not quite the bumper crop I was hoping for.
cover the brussels with a net to stop those butterflies landing.