Brussels for Christmas dinner

[blue411]

Hi all,

For the first time ive managed to grow brussel sprouts , i want to have these for Christmas dinner but im worried about leaving them until December, will they be okay left until December or should i harvest them and freeze them? Ive also read that if i chop the top off the plant any smaller sprouts will grow better has anyone had any experience with this?

[Bigmallly]

I would just pick the sprouts that are ready at the bottom of the stalk then work your way up as & when you need them. Removing the top won't make them grow better but may help them grow quicker so if you remove the top now you may not have any left to pick at Chrismad.

[Two_Sheds]

im worried about leaving them until December

Yes, you run the risk of them getting infested with whitefly or mealy aphids, and if they're not netted the pigeons will eat them

[Four Seasons]

If you have managed to grow them up till now without problems then they should be alright left until Christmas and with the added bonus that they will taste better after a bit of frost which should also tighten them up so they retain less water when cooked. The frost sweetens them. I wouldn't cut the tops off as I don't think it would make any difference at all. Farmers don't.

[Two_Sheds]

You can eat the tops, as mini-cabbages. I'm sure Heston Bloomingmental charges about £200 squid for them in the Fat Duck