[shokkyy]

When is the best time to sow sprouts so you can pick them on Christmas day? I tried some this year for the first time, sowed in May, and I think I may have left it too late because although the plants are healthy they don't look all that big. They're about a foot to 18" tall but the stems are still quite slim.

And although I planted them in very firm ground and trod them in well, they're all leaning over, some almost lying on the ground. I did plant them at the height of the leaves but should I have planted them deeper than that, maybe buried the first pair of leaves? Or should I be kind of earthing them up as they grow?

[DD.]

I sow mine late March/early April.

How firm was the ground? There's firm and there's rock hard! Sprouts could really do with the latter. You may have to provide a bit of staking in future.

[Babstreefern]

Sounds about right.  I've never yet had arrow straight brussels sprout plants.  They are usually cockeyed and skew-whiffed.  I picked up sprouts at the weekend, but I only got enough for a meal for two.  I've got loads of plants and virtually all are pretty small sprouts.  But hey, there's another couple of months of growing yet.  Be patient

[shokkyy]

I sow mine late March/early April.

How firm was the ground? There's firm and there's rock hard! Sprouts could really do with the latter. You may have to provide a bit of staking in future.

Well, I tried digging that ground before I planted them, and I couldn't It's very compacted.

[Willie_Eckerslike]

I'd stake them as suggested by DD. If they start rocking in the wind the sprouts will blow and open up like mini cabbages. Also try a liquid feed to give them a boost.

[sunshineband]

Mine are now beginning to get tiny tiny bumps above the leaf stalks --- neonatal sprouts 

Some folk have grown very earlky varieties and have sprouts almost big enoug to pick already --- not for me , I like 'em in the cold cold weather best 

[mumofstig]

mine are the same Sunny, first time I've grown them...........so fingers crossed, we've got the timing right 

[Kell]

I have some early variety sprouts which look big enough for picking now.  But I was always told (30+ years ago) they need a good frost first to sweeten them up.  Not sure with modern varieties if this is still the case.  May try some at the weekend to see what they are like.

[Sideways]

I planted an early ripening variety this year with great success, have been eating them for a few weeks, most are bigger than golf balls already.

My parsnips havent done so well this year, I think its because its been such a dry summer. Im hoping they bulk up over the next couple of months.

[JohnB47]

mine are the same Sunny, first time I've grown them...........so fingers crossed, we've got the timing right 

Me too (Doric). Hoping they'll start fattening up soon.

[compostqueen]

I thought from the title of the thread that this was a reminder to get our sprouts on 

[sunshineband]

I thought from the title of the thread that this was a reminder to get our sprouts on 

My mum always put hers on very early --- but now 

[Growster...]

I thought from the title of the thread that this was a reminder to get our sprouts on 

My mum always put hers on very early --- but now 

I think the record for putting the sprouts on for Christmas dinner is three days, seventeen hours and twelve minutes, KC...

;0)