OK This is serious - I cannot grow sprouts - please help.

[Jardiniere]

I cannot grow sprouts.
The sprouts in the shops here arent nice and we have had to resort to eating frozen ones.(as we have now eaten all the cabbage)
I really really need to grow some -I have tried every year since 2007 in this garden - the seedlings either dont thrive after being planted out or if the plants grow they are weedy, the sprouts are tiny and they taste horrid.
So if anyone can give me some advice on this ...only want to grow a few!
Remember i'm in southern france - winters much the same as england but shorter...springs and autumns mild ...summer very hot.

PS I cant grow cauliflowers either......(but can grow broccoli -psb and calabrese)

thanks

[Matt94]

i had the same problem when i grew them a few years ago, im sure i was told that it has something to do whith the frosts? i.e. they need to be hit by frost before being picked?

[Capsid]

I sow in to seed trays placing each seed in its own hole as they are big enough to do this. Usually I get one or two that don't germinate. Then I transplant them into bigger and bigger pots as they grow on. They should have nice large leaves of at least 6 or more, so sturdy plants before I plant them out in May. They like fertile soil so dig in compost beforehand and also apply fertiliser (I use chicken pellets). They shouldn't need too much watering but given your hot summers I guess they would need some. I always net mine too to keep off the cabbage whites. In windy weather they may need staking. They won't taste at their best until they have had a frost.

I like them fried with garlic.

[BUFFS]

when i transplant mine into the garden,i bury them to the bottom leaves and use a sledgehammer head to tap down and compact the soil,mine is very loose,to cool the root run you could lay some slates /tiles/slabs etc around their bases and they may then grow better,good luck with it.....