[jondav]

My sprout plants this season seem to have failed to produce any good sprout buttons, however the leaves look extremely green and healthy, My question is, is there any reason why I could,nt use the leaves as winter greens, they are the cabbage family after all, it would save wasting the plants.

[Sparkyrog]

It is normal to cut the top's off .After the Sprouts have finished ,they have plenty of time yet 

[Gardener and Rabbit]

The farmers around here grow lots of sprouts, and in Winter we can buy sprout tops to eat from our local greengrocers. They're the top 2 or 3 inches of the plant, where the leaves are still tender.

[gobs]

Every bit of every brassica is perfectly good and lovely to eat. Except for the tougher parts, of course.

[pigguns]

Every bit of every brassica is perfectly good and lovely to eat. Except for the tougher parts, of course.

My first year of spouts (ugh- for hubby...) but I've seen conflicting advice.  One book says cut the tops early to promote big sprouts, another (John book) leave them until the end..... what do people advise?

[fatcat1955]

Sound's like too richer soil. Cut down on feeding with a nitrogen based fertiliser

[Totty]

Too much nitrogen will cause the buttons to blow and not be nice and tight. If the plants are healthy, but yet to produce sprouts, it could just be that you have a later variety.

Totty

[gobs]

Every bit of every brassica is perfectly good and lovely to eat. Except for the tougher parts, of course.

My first year of spouts (ugh- for hubby...) but I've seen conflicting advice.  One book says cut the tops early to promote big sprouts, another (John book) leave them until the end..... what do people advise?

I'm with John on this and this is not for the trademark( ). I don't think any gardening job's worth it if it does not need doing, there is plenty to do anyway.

The tops make lovely tender greens in the winter/early spring  though.