Topic: Lovely sprout tops

[valentinelow]

I am just trying to work out how to post pics on A4A, so bear with me...
This is meant to be a picture of our sprout tops from last winter. Not particularly seasonal, but it is the best picture I have to hand and they were very delicious. The variety was Noisette, for anyone who is interested.
If someone could post and tell me if they can see them, I would be grateful.
Here's hoping that this year's sprouts are as good...

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14903058@N07/1552656119/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2218/1552656119_3f400413c5_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMG_1367" />[/url]

[tim]

Yes - by clicking on everything in sight!!

Nice tops - the best bit.

Check WIKI above for help on posting.

[calendula]

when do you think is the best time to pick the 'tops' - sprouts themselves are so tiny still  :(

[valentinelow]

I cannot say I am an expert on sprout tops, but last year we ate the tops once we had finished eating all the sprouts. Noisette, being an old variety, produces sprouts over a period of time rather than all at once, unlike the modern F1s.

[valentinelow]

Maybe putting in the URL might be the better way, despite what Flickr says...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2218/1552656119_3f400413c5_b.jpg

[tim]

Same thing , Val . If you don't get what you want, delete or edit to save room.

EDIT - just great in new form!!

Calendula - how long's a piece of string!

In a normal year, the tops are ready when the sprouts are full - the Farmers' Markets are into selling the whole stem - V clever - 1/20th the effort & 50% extra on the price!!

Ideally, the top should be a fairly formed cabbage. Our earlies are coming up to that stage. It is said that the top protects against frost, but at this time, that's irrevelant. So long as the rest of the leaves are healthy, to give food, & the top is right, pick!

[calendula]

thanks Tim, I agree but the tops right now look great and I am seriously concerned about whether the buttons are going to be anything else but that - will have to feed I think this weekend to give a boost (compared to last year!)

btw 'noisette' was the first sprout I ever grew and is still my favourite, gorgeous nutty flavour and for anyone who doesn't like sprouts it would be the variety i would choose to convince that they could like them  ;D

not widely available though

[valentinelow]

Thanks for the Wiki tip, Tim.
As far as I can work out it is a choice between paying £10 a year to A4A for the privilege of being able to post photos directly on to the forum, or using a URL to link to any pics I want to share. As no allotment holder ever paid for anything they could get for free, I might stick to the URL method for the moment...

[louise stella]

Thanks for the Wiki tip, Tim.
As far as I can work out it is a choice between paying £10 a year to A4A for the privilege of being able to post photos directly on to the forum, or using a URL to link to any pics I want to share. As no allotment holder ever paid for anything they could get for free, I might stick to the URL method for the moment...

Yep! - but the money does go into running this site !

[valentinelow]

Yes, Louise, you are quite right. Shame on me!

[tim]

Calendula - I'm not playing Solomon!

Val - depends upon how much you post. For me it's cheap at the price, But I also use Photobucket when size is a problem & I have time.