When should I sow Brussels sprouts in the UK?

March to April. Earlier (February) sowings tend to bolt; later (May) sowings don't have time to mature decent sprouts before winter. Transplant the seedlings to their final position in June or July when they're pencil-thick.

Why are my Brussels sprouts loose and blown rather than tight?

Loose soil at planting time. Brussels sprouts need a firm, settled bed — they're top-heavy plants that rock in wind, and any movement at the roots produces blown (loose, open-leaved) sprouts. Tread the bed firm before transplanting; firm the soil hard around each plant; stake from autumn onwards.

Do Brussels sprouts really taste better after frost?

Yes, scientifically. Frost triggers the plant to convert starches to sugars as an antifreeze response, sweetening the sprouts dramatically. Pre-frost sprouts (September) tend to taste rough and earthy; post-frost (November onwards) they're sweet. The reason Christmas sprouts always taste better than September ones.

When do I pick Brussels sprouts?

From October when the lower sprouts are walnut-sized and tight; pick through to March the following year. Snap the bottom sprouts off first; work upwards over weeks. A single plant gives 30–50 sprouts spread over 4–5 months of picking — far better value than a single-harvest commercial-style crop.

What's the best variety for the UK?

For uniform commercial-style crops, F1 hybrids (Diablo, Trafalgar, Brigitte) give predictable results. For better flavour and a longer picking window, heritage varieties (Bedford Fillbasket, Long Island Improved) crop over a wider date range with variable sprout size. Most allotment growers split between an F1 (reliability) and a heritage cultivar (flavour).

My sprouts have aphids inside them — what do I do?

Mealy cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) gets between the leaves of developing sprouts. Net against butterflies as standard; that doesn't stop aphids. For severe infestations, hose down the plants weekly with a soft soap spray (a teaspoon of washing-up liquid in a litre of water). Encouraging hoverflies and ladybirds (plant flowering dill, coriander, fennel near the brassica bed) is the long-term defence.

Choux de Bruxelles

Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera

Semez les graines de choux de Bruxelles de mars à avril à l'intérieur ou dans un lit de semence ; repiquez-les à 60 cm les uns des autres dans un sol ferme et fertile de juin à juillet. Les choux de Bruxelles sont très résistants au froid (RHS H5–H6) et comptent parmi les cultures britanniques à la saison la plus longue : semés en mars, vous pourrez les récolter d'octobre à mars de l'année suivante. Le gel adoucit en fait les choux ; ceux récoltés avant le gel ont un goût âpre. Installez un filet pour protéger les choux contre les piérides du chou pendant l'été, puis contre les pigeons pendant l'hiver. Tuteurez solidement les plants dès la plantation : les plantes matures sont trop lourdes au sommet pour résister aux tempêtes d'automne. Récoltez de bas en haut à mesure que les choux mûrissent ; la partie feuillue du sommet reste sur la plante jusqu'en novembre pour alimenter la croissance.

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