[4hens]

  My brussell are niot tightly closed like they are in the shops. Am I doing something wrong? I followed the instructions on the packet to the letter.

[WG.]

They need planted in very firm soil. Might that be the problem?

[leeky]

Blowing I think the term is. I am expecting it too. Didnt stamp the ground  

[gobs]

I've seen and heard quite a lot of blown sprouts and bolted leeks and saw a sprouting ready the other day, that I tend to think some winter crops got victims of mild autumn days.

[Aunt Sally]

As WG said, they need really firm ground, or they blow   :!:

[gobs]

If you say so, Aunty.

[Aunt Sally]

If you say so, Aunty.

I (and WG) say so gobs  

[slopym]

I had a few plants with blown sprouts, I pulled one up and ate the leaves, I'll do the same again unless there is any way to improve it.

[spinny]

  My brussell are niot tightly closed like they are in the shops. Am I doing something wrong? I followed the instructions on the packet to the letter.

Just use the blown sprouts like cabbage...

[shaun]

very hungry plants so if you dont feed em then they wont produce,they do like a dressing of chicken pellets in the summer if you didnt manure in the spring

[4hens]

Thank you for the replies. I will be stamping and feeding next year.

 

[WG.]

Welcome to the forum BTW 4hens.  

I'm fairly perceptive and I would assume that you've got a few chooks and some sprouts.  What else?  Why not take a moment to introduce yourself properly in the Welcome forum?  

[milkman]

next time use an F1 variety if you didn't use one this time, transplant them deeper than you think you should into firm soil and firm them in as firm as you can.  space the plants at least 2 feet apart.  if you can get hold of some matured mushroom compost, mulch the soil with that before planting them out.  then you will get fairly guaranteed great results.

as others have said above - firmness really is the key to getting great sprouts  

[gobs]

I had a few plants with blown sprouts, I pulled one up and ate the leaves, I'll do the same again unless there is any way to improve it.

No, once they are blown, you cannot correct that, use them, as said.

But also, as Milkman says F1 types are more uniform, but then they mature from bottom upwards. You harvest a few of each plant going upwards.

I have a few early sprouts, which I'm harvesting now.

I don't know what types you've got, but starting to harvest, when ready is a good idea, as they will eventually open up anyways.

[milkman]

I've used the last of my Peer Gynt and Braveheart seeds this year so have got to buy some for next - what does everyone else recommend  for an early-ish and a later variety?