Brussels tops - when to pick

[Woofster]

I have some Brussels plants and I have started to harvest sprouts but I am wondering at what point can I harvest the tops. Will the plants still grow if I pick off the tops. When is the best time to do this ?

[lupin]

Brussel top's - when to pick

Removing the brussel tops when the lower sprouts are about 1/2" across will encourage your sprouts to mature at the same time.

Alternatively leave them on, and pick sprouts from base as they come ready, when they have all been picked you can harvest the top's as winter greens.

[Woofster]

Thanks for the info, Lupin. Much appreciated.

[Alice]

Thanks for the question Woofster. My brussel srouts have quite small sprouts on, and small cabbage like heads on the top. I was wonderining what to do with the heads. When I should cut them - what I should do with them ? Any advice welcome folks.

[Hazel at the Hill]

I think that Lupin has answered your 'when' question, Alice, as to 'how', I believe that you treat the cabbagy tops as you would spring greens. I don't know how tender the tops are tho' - no doubt we'll both get an answer to that one from the others.

BTW, welcome to the VIne, Lupin!

[Flummery]

Welcome Lupin, expecto patronus etc! I only ever harvested sprout tops when the sprouts were finished. It honestly never occurred to me to try it earlier. They might not have been so coarse in texture but even so they are good tasty greens in the dead of winter.

[leona]

i leave mine on til iv eaten the sprouts...

[jacob marley]

Thanks for the question Woofster. My brussel srouts have quite small sprouts on, and small cabbage like heads on the top. I was wonderining what to do with the heads. When I should cut them - what I should do with them ? Any advice welcome folks.

I started eating mine as soon as the blasted pigeons did i like them a lot more than letting the pigeons have them and they do not seem to bother the sprouts jacob

[The Reverend]

Hello Jacob, you did better then me, the pidgeons cleared them all before i got a chance to have mine.

[leona]

my brassicas at home are untouched because we have a bird feeder that the pigeons prefer. at the allotment the red ones are all fine so i think theres a moral there...

[Flummery]

Got 3 bird feeders in the back garden, one in the front. Starters just give them an appetite!

[JanetKent]

Glad you asked this question Woofster - was wondering the same thing. l've grown brussels for the first time this year. They are looking ok but if l'm honest l love the brussel tops as much as the brussels so l searched the site to find out when l could pick them.
The answers have been great - thank you everyone. Sunday will see brussel tops on the plates