When do brussel sprouts come into season

Brussels sprouts grow on thick, woody stalks. The stalks are inedible but they do make great dog chew toys. If your market sells them by the stalk, simply pop the sprouts off with a little tug. Look for sprouts that have tight, well-formed heads, and are at least as large as a quarter in circumference—smaller sprouts are a sign of under-development. Steer clear of sprouts that have been bored into by pests; you'll see a hole down to the sprout's center as proof. Start them off early to get the best crop.

Use early, mid-season and late cultivars, to provide a long cropping season. For an early crop, sow in a greenhouse in small pots or modular trays in February, for harvesting from August. Brussels are traditionally sown in a separate seed bed, rather than on the main veg plot, then transplanted in early summer, once more space is available.

Thin seedlings to 7. Grow in pots if clubroot is a problem. Water the plants regularly until they have settled in. In September, mound soil around the base of the stems, to provide extra support. Roots become swollen and distorted, and leaves become pale and yellow and wilt easily. Plants may die. Birds, especially pigeons, can cause an array of problems including eating seedlings, buds, leaves, fruit and vegetables.

Protect the plants from birds by covering them with netting or fleece. Scarecrows and bird-scaring mechanisms work for a while, but the most reliable method of protection is to cover plants with horticultural fleece or mesh. White larvae approximately 5cm 2in long, feed on the roots just below the soil surface, stunting growth and causing plants to wilt and die.

Once drained, add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to the saucepan, season with black pepper and serve immediately. To stir-fry, halve or slice finely, coat in 1 tsp oil and cook for around 10 minutes. Shred leftover sprouts on Boxing Day to add to a crisp, winter salad. Recipes for you to try: Brussels sprout gratin — brussels sprouts baked in a light cheese sauce and topped with Parmesan.

Brussels sprout and bacon hash with poached egg — a satisfying dish and a great way to use up leftover sprouts. Set them in a sunny, well-prepared bed, spacing them about 2 feet apart. Feed them at planting with a dilute solution of liquid fertilizer and again about three weeks later. These grow unlike any of your cool-season crops, spiraling up the stalk.

If you intend to harvest all at once, pinch the tip from the stalk one to two weeks in advance so the heads will mature at the same time. Otherwise, choose 1- to 2-inch sprouts individually as they mature from the bottom up, removing accompanying leaves as you go up the stem. The first official description of them, however, did appear in Belgium in the late 16th century. They made their way to England in the midth century and there gained great popularity.