Brusstles sprouts still small

[Marb67]

They need to be out soon to make way for other crops like beets and chard. How long till they produce?

[ameno]

Assuming they don't bolt, probably a couple of months.

[Marb67]

Assuming they don't bolt, probably a couple of months.

That's too long

[peanut]

Just harvest them now for the tops and leaves, they're delicious!

[Jungle Jane]

Some of your plants are bigger than others. Could you save the best plant & then sow seeds of beets & chard around the stem. It looks like the lower leaves of the bigger plants have been completely removed? I don’t know why that would be happening? Usually the sprout forms between the leaves but as there’s no leaves there I don’t know what would happen.

[Andraste]

Sprouts are on the list of slow growers - I don't expect to see produce from the seed I sowed in April until Xmas & they're only just about going to be big enough to plant out next week.

If you must empty the bed to plant other stuff & haven't decided to take peanut's advice on eating the tops & leaves - I do see why you would want to do that, particularly as if these are last years plants they may never produce this year as ameno has explained - you might want to consider transferring some to big pots. I've never moved such big sprout plants as some of yours are but I reckon it's worth a shot. Don't forget to firm them in really well as any sprouts formed will 'blow' like little cabbages rather than firm balls if they're in loose ground & bear in mind that sprouts planted in the ground need to be about 2ft apart to have enough space to grow well so don't put too many into one container (unless it's massive).

[Nicos]

You do know you can eat the upper leaves of the plant and the thinner stems?
All is not lost if you choose to pull them up. Cook down and freeze for soups etc
Not actual sprouts but still very edible and nutritious .

We’re munching our way through the upper leaves of our blown PSP plants . Waste not want not as they say….

[Marb67]

Yep, they are bolting despite the colder weather and rain. I'll leave them in the hope sprouts will come as I can see tiny nodes.

[Marb67]

Some of the sprouts are almost the size of cabbages. Now what do I do ?

[Nicos]

Pick them…they’re only going to get bigger.
Just enjoy them even though they’re not mini ping pong balls.

[Marb67]

Even bigger now but we can't eat them quick enough.

[Andraste]

Well done Marb67 - such a treat to have sprouts at this time of year

Sprouts freeze quite well if you have space in the freezer - just cut off any damaged/discoloured bits & give them a very quick blanche for 2 mins.

If you're one of those inclined to cut X in the bottom (I never do - I don't think good sprouts have a core hard enough to warrant it & I think it makes them watery) don't do that before freezing as it can cause freezer-burn. x

[Nicos]

Well done indeed Marb.
Have you tried shredding some and adding them to a stir fry or adding some to a thick chunky soup? ( every little helps as someone, somewhere once said!)

[Marb67]

I could just blanch them as shredded greens and freeze them I suppose ?

[Nicos]

Yup! ^^^^^