[fekq]

brussels are merrily growing away in the cold frame -- unfortunately, i've run out of space on the lottie (due to overdoing it on the potato front).

can I leave them in the coldframe til I start pulling up tatties (end of June i'm hoping for the 1st earlies: does that sound realistic?)

or will they need to go in the ground sooner (in which case I'm going to have to sacrifice my salad bed)

oh, and do they like soil that's been well composted or not?

thanks!

[RichardA]

in theory yes bit late but a possibility . Will need fetilizer adding but will probably need some lime as well. End of June for earlies is possible but unless you are eating a lot very quickly you will not be freeing up much ground. Big Big problem will be your soil will be very loose after lifting potatoes and sprouts like ground very firm.
R

[fekq]

thanks - we have four people staying for a few days in june, so thought I could feed them on a lot of potatoes to free up some space?!!

guess i'll have to get them to all come and jump up and down on the soil to compact it afterwards!

we have clay soil - does this also need liming (excuse my ignorance?!)

[RichardA]

In my opinion it will and a ph test is worth doing first - excess lime is very difficult to get rid off BUT my soil is not clay so not an expert. Type of weeds is also a clue to ph.
R

[noshed]

I've got a similar problem. I've just planted out mine quite closely in a spare space and I'll plant them on again with more space, when it is available. No idea if this will work but I thought I'd read that brassicas liked being transplanted.

[Riala]

Crikey! My Brussels are dinky tiny, less than 1cm! Did I sow them too late? Germination seemed to be ages on them.

[Trebor]

Lime is best if you don’t have alkaline soil already.

If you have a big salad bed then you could start planting in between the salad. The brassicas will take a while before shading out the ground, by which time the salad can be long gone (or growing between other crops).

Do make sure the ground is firm.

(Riala  - Don't worry they will be fine).

[fekq]

thanks Trebor - think growing between other crops is the way forward!

could i grow them in the middle of my peas and bean frame i wonder?  I have peas at the front, beans at the back, with the idea that the peas won't make too much shade (it's south facing).

it's quite a solid trench now that it's settled down, and the peas and beans are in so no more digging

[poppies]

Hi we have clay soil and need to lime I forgot to do it last year and had a lousy brassica crop

Also if the soil is loose put a board along the row and tread it down a bit that should firm it up enough

[matron]

Crikey! My Brussels are dinky tiny, less than 1cm! Did I sow them too late? Germination seemed to be ages on them.

Shouldn't worry Riala. My first lot have died so only sowed more on Sunday  :blink:
Working on the theory that at this time of year they will catch up 

[Roll Roll]

I have always found sprouts to be as tough as old boots. Of all the veg I grow I have never had a crop fail, and thats on clay soil.
As i reed it Fekq you've got nothing to lose.

[Sue33]

my sprouts are only just starting to germinate in the greenhouse, we didn't get lottie till mid May last year and I did sprouts so I don't think we're too far behind (Riala and Matron)   

[Trebor]

could i grow them in the middle of my peas and bean frame i wonder?  I have peas at the front, beans at the back, with the idea that the peas won't make too much shade (it's south facing).

I guess so in theory, but it would mess any crop rotation plans up - legumes and brassicas. Salad is more of a go anywhere crop so you don't get the same problem.

[drizabone]

Would you be the AFCW Trebor by any chance?

[blackbob]

I have always found sprouts to be as tough as old boots. Of all the veg I grow I have never had a crop fail, and thats on clay soil.
As i reed it Fekq you've got nothing to lose.

THEY LOVE CLAY SOILS