Brussell sprouts help needed

[Jeannine]

Hi, I can never get my sprouts right, I know the lime thing, the compacted ground thing, the how to plant them at the right depth  thing but still I am not happy with what I get. The sprouts are small,well medium  and despite trying different kinds I can't find one I am happy with.I want big sprouts that are a decent size after trimming them. Years ago when I still lived in the UK I got good sprouts and they seemed to go on forever, What am I doing wrong? Or is it simply that the varieties have changed.
I grow good cabbage, broccolli and super caulis so where am I going wrong ??

XX Jeannine

[Jeannine]

[kt.]

I dont know what variety you have been growing but for the past 2 years I grew Peer Gynt. I was a bit disapointed thinking back to my childhood days, helping my dad pick huge sprouts.

This year I am changing variety. I have chosen FILL BSAKET to try, harvest Nov-Jan. It says on the packet they are LARGE sprouts which is what I want not button sprouts. Will let you know in November........... ;)

[saddad]

We're giving Evesham Special a go this year, just pricked out the first 15...
:-\

[Jeannine]

I don't like Peer Gynt much too small. I put some in the swap parcels, and I have sown some. What I have here now is Topline and Falstaff. I think the last year I gre Wellington,Brigette and the Peer Gynt. All terrible

So i will see what Topline does,unless anyone has a good one. I wll try some Fill Basket too Thank you KT.

XX Jeannine

[Jeannine]

Have I got time to plant them Saddad. XX Jeannine

[manicscousers]

we've used early half tall and red bull, had brilliant green ones but disappointing red ones, but some others on here had probs with their red ones as well  ;D

[tim]

Grew Maximus last year &, despite being blown over, they produced well.

[Tee Gee]

I'm the same as Tim; Maximus! see here;



I sowed mine this morning 40 Maximus as my banker and giving Revenge a try this year sowed 25 of these.

[carolinej]

Wow, they look amazing! How far apart did you plant them?

cj :)

[Trevor_D]

Agree - Maximus. They hold well for ever without blowing. Wish mine looked as good as yours, Tee Gee. Perhaps I ought to stake them.

[Tee Gee]

Wow, they look amazing! How far apart did you plant them?

Can't remember really  ???

Certainly four across a 5 foot wide bed = about 16" apart and possibly 18-20" apart the other way.

Some people say this is too close but as you see it works OK for me.

I think at these spacings the plants tend to hold each other up as you can see I only support the outside rows, plus it is common knowledge that you can plant things a bit closer when using the narrow bed system (I don't call them raised beds)

I hope that answers your question.

[Jeannine]

Thank you I will get some of those Maximas pronto. XX Jeannine

[davy1]

Sprouts need to be at least 2 feet apart and if like me you have problems with the wing dig a trench about 6" deep and plant the sprout in it. As th sprout grows back fill and compress the soil around it.

[Trixiebelle]

BLIMEY!!

Those maximus are nearly as tall as the roofs on the house behind 'em  ;D

I grew red ones last year and they all blew. Good in stir fries though.