Which calabrese and which Brussels varieties do you grow?

[Bumblingbroccoli]

I've managed to grow sprouting broccoli and kale ok but have never grown calabrese or Brussels successfully. Which varieties do you grow and any tips for success? Want to try again!

[mcdood]

Sprouts - I grew Evesham special. They grew well and came with loads of sprouts some were blown I believe this can be down to rocking so plant in firm ground and stake each plant would be my advice. On my allotment they need netting against pigeons. I didn't eat many sprouts due to swarms of whitefly leaving white and black deposits everywhere, they are still on my kale now No idea how to get rid of them. Strangely they've not touched the spring cabbage.
Calabrese was one I was really looking forward to as I love the stuff, but my crop failed miserably. Label well as all brassicas look very similar as young plants to my eyes. I planted Autumn Green and it came very very sparsely, not really worth picking. Probably gardener issue rather than variety but I don't know where I went wrong. We do have club root but I thought I'd countered that. This year I will be trying Green Magic which the guy in the next plot to me grew very well and I'll also try Monclano a club root resistant variety. Tips wise I'd say be ready to pick on time as there's quite a short period between a head and a bunch of yellow flowers

[Teds Mum]

I'm still learning when it comes to growing broccoli. Had some small success with Romanesco (the alien green cauliflower one) brassicas tend to end up as caterpillar and pigeon food. I know I should net them but I think netting is ugly.
I am growing red brussel sprouts this year in the hope that the colour will confuse all the pests and so I might actually get to eat some myself.

[Vince G]

Grew Brussels Doric last year, they were quite good but as mentioned above stake them well or you lose about the bottom 20% of the sprouts to blowing due to wind rock. This year I'm trying Brendan, although they're a little later so they had better be ready by Christmas or Mrs G will not be amused.

Calabrese, have grown Marathon for ages but you never get the huge heads you buy from the market, lucky if they got to 5 inches across. Giving Ironman a try this year as it's allegedly less prone to bolting

[Greenleaves]

I also grow Marathon as by prefered calabrese and Montgomery for sprouts

[Miss Mousetrousers]

I loved Corvet but for some reason it became unavailable; however I got some from abroad so I hope they still have the same taste. Although it's not classed as a calabrese, the broccoli Tenderstem can form a small head as well as many side-shoots and is also very tasty.

[Small pumpkin]

Another vote for marathon. It's brilliant.
As for sprouts, I grow this lot.
Montgomery.
Brest
Brigitte
Bedford winter harvest
seven hills
I find these do best in my location. Trust me when I say I've tried quite a few .

[Thelma Sanders]

Autumn Green Calabrese for me, but don't grow sprouts any more, cos nobody eats them other than a token few at xmas, so not worth the space

[Bumblingbroccoli]

Thanks for all the recommendations. Will def try marathon and persevere with sprouts. Think I can't have been staking enough....

[Penellype]

I don't grow sprouts but I've had good success with calabrese Sakura, which produces a decent head about 6 inches across and will then produce small sideshoots through the winter if it is not too cold. Heads bolt quickly and are less tight in very hot weather.