On Mon, 21 Oct 2002 19:00:02 +0100, Alan Gould
wrote:

In article , Chris Webb
writes
what should I do next year? I also have some very healthy purple
sprouting
broccoli, but no purple sprouts. Should they have appeared by now? If so
again what is my error?
TIA
John T

Sorry, no answers, but I have a similar problem with my Brussels sprouts -
some are _blown_ with sprouts like flowers, and others with no sprouts at
all.

We had an almost total failure with purple sprouting broccoli this year,
yet all our other brassicas, including sprouts have done very well. I
think that the unusual weather patterns have upset some plant varieties,
especially those which are sensitive to planting times. Yet our
perpetual spinach (leafbeet) is robust and productive, and that can be
very touchy about sowing date. There's nowt so odd as plants!
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Many moons ago, as a young man, someone told me that
the secret of firm sprouts was firm soil. I always followed the
advice and was reasonably satisfied - on occasion even
delighted - with the quality. Also, when the ground was cleared
of the crop, I used a spade to good effect, and limed the soil.

Despite being considered an eccentricity, it also works to
chat to your crops , even- occasionally - to threaten them.
Charles knows what he's talking about. If it's good enough
for him, then it's good enough for the rest of us.
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