I have 2 out of 3 brussel sprout plants that are growing well but I don't see any sign of brussel sprouts forming. I am in Upper Michigan and have a later growing period but don't know what to expect with these plants. I have never grown them before so any information would be appreciated.

When did you plant them? Brussels Sprouts take quite a bit of time to start developing. I didn't put any in this year, but the last time I did I put transplants out in early May & didn't have harvestable sprouts until late summer/early fall. But those sprouts did hang on & continue developing until late November, & it sure was nice to have home-grown sprouts at the Thanksgving table.

I'm glad to see your post about Brussel Sprouts. I also planted some (got some plants at Walmart and meant to grab cabbage), but I went ahead and planted them anyway. Mine are huge but no brussel sprouts yet. I'll just keep waiting.

What about Cauliflower - same deal?

My cabbage have formed one head - big like a soccer ball, but my other cabbage plants just have tiny heads so far. Funny they were all planted the same time and are all at different stages.

I do learn so much from this Board - THANKS!
JEANNA

It all depends on where you are located. I wish more folks would post that info. We're really not going to hunt you down in person via your city/state & zone - lol!!

Unfortunately, cauliflower tends to be quite a bit more temperamental than its brethen broccoli & brussels sprouts. It likes relatively cool temps - especially nights - in order to induce bolt-free heading. Long Island, NY, where I grew up, was famous for growing cauliflower. The cool night & morning temps from the sea air wafting over the east-end fields produced superlative cole crops. I've never had luck with cauliflower here in VA - so don't bother growing it anymore.

I never have had luck with Brussels sprouts or cauliflower in spring - they just don't seem to like heat, and it gets too hot too fast here. In fact, Aug 1st is when I usually start BS indoors, when I am going to plant it for fall! It used to be considered proper to start them on 7-15 in my area, but things aren't what they used to be.

Dave

Brussels sprouts like cool feet, so it's important to keep it heavily mulched, a little shade doesn't hurt either. When the little heads start forming, break off the leaves surrounding them. They are best picked after the first frost, the cool weather just makes them taste so much better. So you will have a tall plant with leaves only where there aren't any sprouts.

Thanks for the info. My plants are in a shadier part of the garden and are thriving. Do the heads form at the leaves? I started with plants as we have a short growing season so I hope they form before summer is done.

Yup - the little sprout heads form where the leaves join the stem.

Keep in mind that sprouts are very cold-hardy. I've actually picked some of mine with snow on the ground at Thanksgiving.

I'll bump on this since I'm from Michigan (mid-west...GR area). I tried BS last year...they were a tough nugget....I got nothing all summer, and they started to sprout late fall...but I only got "tiny" sprouts....I was too dissapointed to try again (and have used the farmers market to purchase). I think someone mentioned the "cool"....they seem to like that, and mine were full sun. I'm by no means a great gardener...but I'm guessing since they really seem to take off in the fall, there is something to that! Again, I'll pass on using one of my few containers to plant them again, but I sure hope you have good luck!