when to havest sprouts

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by lowrider69, Sep 8, 2018.

  1. lowrider69

    lowrider69 Gardener

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    hi guys my 1st years gardening and I noticed my sprouts are big enough to pick but the top ones are not

    when is it right to havest sprouts please?

    Thanks in advance :) 41250532_278898982942207_5707630542720073728_n.jpg
     
  2. lowrider69

    lowrider69 Gardener

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    am I the only one growing sprouts lol
     
  3. Ned

    Ned Evaporated

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    Hiya @lowrider69
    Although I haven`t grown any vegetables - at least not for years, I`m not totally sure, but seem to remember my dad saying it`s best after the first frosts. I`m sure the more experience folks on here will amend that if it`s wrong...:)
     
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    • NigelJ

      NigelJ Total Gardener

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      When they are big enough to eat. If you have enough for a meal I would pick them and use them. The ones further up will continue to develop, but the longer you leave the lower ones the more chance of them "blowing" and become loose leafy masses. As Tetters said they are supposed to be better after a frost.
      When I was growing up they were very much a winter crop, however modern varieties have extended the growing season considerably.
       
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      • lowrider69

        lowrider69 Gardener

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        ok will pick off all the big ones I never knew they bloomed
         
      • Mike Allen

        Mike Allen Total Gardener

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        Generally picking or harvesting is considered as, 90-180 days after planting.Seed sowing often begins say in January under glass. Then the young plants are planted out. In sheltered areas, seed can be sown direct into open ground in September.

        Usually when the sprouts look nice and plump, and just before they begin to burst open, is an indicator that they are ready. Naturally the larger ones will be lower down the stalk, so it remains the choice of the grower, whether to pick the complete stalk or to select the plumpest.

        Yes sprouts do have that edge on flavour once they have caught the frost. This also appies to parsnips and other veg. The frost tends to actvate the natural sugars in the plant.

        On the large farming scale. The whole stalk is cut down and machine processed, for the average gardener, as with the cabbage family, cut close to the ground. Soon the remaing stalk and roots will produce new shoots. These are useful as greens and in stir frys.
         
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        • NigelJ

          NigelJ Total Gardener

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          One of the worst jobs was picking frozen, wet brussel sprouts for Sunday lunch. Imagine a muddy field full of them on a January morning. Modern commercial hybrids have been bred so that the entire stalk can be harvested and stripped mechanically, so you don't have to go over the field several times.
          We used to have brussel tops as spring greens after the brussels had been picked.
           
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          • Ned

            Ned Evaporated

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            Fings ain`t wot they used to be eh Nige :old:
             
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            • NigelJ

              NigelJ Total Gardener

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              I'm glad to say.
               
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