Much as I would like to think I had enough to feed everybody, I know this is not the case, so I decided that Jane and I should eat the home-grown ones, and we will buy an adequate supply of them for everyone from the shops next week.
My plants have produced plenty of sprouts, but most of them are individually very small.
It could be that my sprouts didn't have enough room to develop to their full potential. I put in just the three plants down at one end of what is probably my least-favoured raised bed, which is rather shaded by the trees (whose roots are probably sucking up much of the available moisture and nutrients). At the time of planting, half of this bed was devoted to garlic and shallots, so I was only able to space the Brussels Sprouts about 40cm apart. Next year I'll give them some more room.
On the other hand, the diminutive size of the Brussels may have been nothing to do with spacing. Maybe it was just the wierd weather conditions we had in 2012. Significantly, very few of the Cabbages did anything much either.
Well, at least they were not "blown", as happened the only other time I grew sprouts, many years ago! They say that planting in very firm soil prevents Brussels Sprouts blowing (producing sprouts that are loose rather than closely compacted), but I'm not sure why. Does anyone know?
This, my first-ever harvest of Brussels Sprouts is hardly something to shout about from the rooftops (being a total of only 170g), but the very fact that they are home-grown makes them all the more special!
Here they are prepared and ready for the pot. Small, but perfectly-formed, in my opinion. We ate them alongside some roast Goose.
OK, the quality aspect is fine. Now I have to work on quantity.
Congrats on your first. I still haven't done that. Someday I swear I will.
ReplyDeleteOh I think you should yell from the roof tops your sprout harvest. I have yet to be successful in growing brussel sprouts - tried 3 years in a row, with no luck - I think we don;t get cold enough.
ReplyDeleteENJOY them!
Love Leanne Nz
Hi Leanne; Thanks for visiting. I just had a look at your blog and I LOVE those beautiful cats! Want to swap one for some Brussels Sprouts??
DeleteThey look like very fine sprouts, I've never been successful with sprouts, so I'd be happy with a small harvest. I think you made the right decision, buy in for Christmas day and savour the home grown ones yourselves.
ReplyDeleteWe had our first picking of sprouts today. As for why do they like firm soil - all I have read says that it helps produce a good root system and I suppose as sprouts are hungry plants a good root system is necessary. Now why do the roots grow better in firm soil is another question? Maybe it is having to work harder to push through the soil produces stronger roots a bit like us working our muscles. Just a very wild guess.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I think you are right for you and Jane to eat the home-grown sprouts!
Sue, Yes I think your theory sounds plausible, but why does a plant with a strong root system produce firm (unblown) sprouts? I expect your production of sprouts is done in much larger scale then mine, isn't it?
DeleteWe have a dozen plants. Maybe if the sprouts blow about the roots are damaged and the sprout plant just gives up and tries to quickly go to seed to reproduce itself. It sort of rushes to maturity!
DeleteI'm going to give them a go this winter. I plan to sow the seed next month and then hope for the best. I think they look fun which is a good reason to give them a try I guess. Whenever we don't have enough of something O just eat it myself. Is that bad?
ReplyDeleteI adore brussel sprouts but have passed on growing them the past several years due to some space constraints. I am going to make room for them in 2013. Our big issue with them is aphids in the fall. If I keep the pests off them and give them a sunny location they do great.
ReplyDeleteLovely sprouts! Interesting about the firm soil and tight heads. I'd not heard that nor have I seen that to be the case. The soil mine were grown in was quite loose, but the sprouts themselves were nearly perfect.
ReplyDeleteI bet they were delicous along with the rich goose!
I love brussels sprouts, but I've given up trying to grow them. They are a big commercial crop here and I can buy beautiful fresh stalks of them at the local farm stands so that's what I do. Good luck growing some big beauties next year.
ReplyDeleteI have varied results with Brussels sprouts. For years I couldn't get them to bud. Two years ago I had a fabulous crop. Last year they blew (in a raised bed with very loose soil). This year, in the same bed, they produced early, then the cabbage loopers got the rest. They are worth growing because the taste is so much milder and sweeter than the ones in the market, even my wife likes them. You were wise to reserve the home grown ones for you and Jane.
ReplyDeleteWe still have to rely on local farmers for our Brussels sprouts, and every year, thankfully, the supply increases. The best part of being able to buy them on the stalk is for the smaller ones, the perfect size for steam braising in butter...
ReplyDelete