Every vegetable grower has one, a difficult vegetable to grow. I’ve had more failures with growing Brussels Sprouts than any other vegetable. Yet I still pick myself up and try growing them again.

This year is no exception, I am determined to find a way of actually getting some Brussels Sprouts on my dinner plate.

Why did my previous years attempts to grow Brussels fail?

One word, Caterpillars! & Cabbage White Butterflies! that’s technically five words but these butterflies are a real pain.

Hopefully my Timeline to Growing Brussels Sprouts success

Year 1 – No Netting, No Cage – FAIL

The first year I grew Brussels Sprouts, I was a beginner and had no idea about putting these plants under netting. It was a Caterpillar fest!

Year 2 – Cage and Netting – FAIL

The second year, I had a cage and netting setup however the butterflies still managed to get in somehow. Cabbage white butterflies are masters of squeezing into small gaps. No Brussels Sprouts this year either.

Year 3 – Operation Brussels Sprouts to the Dinner Table Plan – Success?

My Keep Out Cabbage White Butterfly Cage Trial as per above didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I feel like I cannot try again with a cage and netting, so what is my solution?

My plan this year is simple, I’m going to grow my Brussels sprouts in containers and then put the cabbage white butterfly netting over the entire plant to try and foil the little critters.

Brussels Sprouts Variety I’m Growing is..

Medio Enane de la Halle

Why am I growing Brussels Sprout – Medio Enane de la Halle?

• It is shorter in height than normal Brussels sprouts plants. This one is 85cm high instead of over 1 meter tall. I can stake this with a bamboo cane in a container.
• Perfect for Windy gardens.
• Small to medium sprouts – Harvest from September to December.
• Great flavour sprouts.

How to Grow Brussels Sprouts

I sowed my Brussels Sprouts seeds last weekend. Sow your Brussels Sprouts seeds anytime in April in cell trays or direct outdoors in May.

• Sow: April in cell trays or May directly outdoors,
• Harvest: September to December.

Sow your seeds in cell trays filled compost about 1cm deep. Water well and keep in the un-heated greenhouse.

• Seed Germination: 7-14 Days

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Challenge Brassica Series

📕 Part 1 – The Brassica Challenge

📗 Part 2 – Soil Replenishment & The No Dig Method

📘 Part 3 – Planting & Spacings for Kale, Brussels Sprouts & Cauliflower

📙 Part 4 – Exploring Netting, Hoops, Cages for all Budgets to Cover Brassica Plants

Part 5 – Challenge Brassica – One Month Plantings Update

Part 6 – Kale Harvests and Cauliflower – 2.5 Months Update

Cabbage White Butterflies & Caterpillars

Operation Brussels Sprouts to the Dinner Table – Dealing with the Cabbage White Butterfly & Caterpillars

The Keep Out Cabbage White Butterfly Trial

Part 1 – The Keep Out Cabbage White Butterfly Cage Trial.

Part 2 – Update – Keep Out Cabbage White Butterflies of my Brussels sprouts cage

Part 3 – Growing Brussels Sprouts in the Greenhouse