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.

Spruitkool

Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera

Zaai spruitjeszaad van maart tot april binnenshuis of in een zaaibed; plant ze van juni tot juli uit op 60 cm afstand van elkaar in stevige, vruchtbare grond. Spruitjes zijn zeer winterhard (RHS H5–H6) en behoren tot de gewassen met het langste seizoen in het Verenigd Koninkrijk — als je ze in maart zaait, kun je ze van oktober tot maart van het volgende jaar oogsten. Vorst maakt de spruitjes juist zoeter; spruitjes die vóór de vorst worden geoogst, smaken ruw. Bescherm de planten in de zomer met gaas tegen koolwitjes en in de winter tegen duiven. Zet de planten bij het planten stevig vast met stokken — volgroeide planten zijn topzwaar in de herfststormen. Pluk de spruitjes van onder naar boven naarmate ze rijpen; de bladeren aan de top blijven tot november aan de plant zitten om de groei te stimuleren.

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