Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: mike0001 on January 18, 2013, 14:39

Title: brussel sprouts
Post by: mike0001 on January 18, 2013, 14:39
hello all

anyone have some advice on brussels and guidance to get a good crop

evesham are the ones i have

many thanks .......  :)
Title: Re: brussel sprouts
Post by: sunshineband on January 18, 2013, 15:32
Sow them early, one seed per module (see seed packet  :) )

Pot them on and keep them growing

Plant them out deep and in solid ground

Stake them securely

Feed them with FSB and chicken pellets

Net them against butterflies and pigeons

Enjoy!!  :D
Title: Re: brussel sprouts
Post by: savbo on January 18, 2013, 16:03
Emphasise 'early' - I was late last year and didn't get a single sprout...
Title: Re: brussel sprouts
Post by: mike0001 on January 18, 2013, 17:16
you will have to help me more what is fsb ? and chicken pellets what do you need to do with them ?

thanks for help  :)
Title: Re: brussel sprouts
Post by: Yorkie on January 18, 2013, 18:03
FSB is probably fish blood and bone - a balanced fertiliser.

Just sprinkle it on the ground.  I rake it / chicken pellets in slightly but I suspect many don't.

There's more info about growing particular veggies on the main website, just click Grow Your Own on the top bar to access it, but for brussels see here:
http://www.allotment-garden.org/grow-your-own/vegetables/brussels-sprouts
Title: Re: brussel sprouts
Post by: sunshineband on January 18, 2013, 18:51
Sorry Mike, I should have made that clearer.

Chicken manure pellets are what I meant, and these can be raked into the soil surface (or as Yorkie said, some don't bother, and they still do the job) They provide the nitrogen needed by leafy veg.

 Fish,Blood & Bone adds some nitrogen, but also phosphorus for healthy root & shoot growth and potassium which mainy supports flowering (and so fruiting) Again, this can be raked into the surface of the soil

Also, if your soil is acid, you might need to add some lime to make it a bit more alkaline, a few weeks before you plant them out in the ground so that the plants can fully take up the nutrients. A simple soil test kit will show you this

All this might sound complicated, but it isn't once you get going!