Brussel Sprout – better in cold weather

The snow continues to fall and whilst it is very pretty, it does create some immediate problems. I have a plastic covered tunnel which I use as a cold greenhouse. I keep some pot plants such as fuschia in it overwinter. These do not mind being cold or even occasioinally getting frozen, but they don’t like to be wet during cold weather. So they live in the tunnel during winter and are kept totally dry. I will start watering when the first shoots of spring arrive. In the meantime, I must clear the snow off the top of the tunnel as the weight stretches the plastic and, if heavy enough, will split it. The cover has lasted over 5 years and is now showing signs of its age. Hopefully, it will last another year. This year, though, I will have to tighten it since the snow (and sun during summer) has stretched it and it flaps in the wind.

During weather like this and, indeed, very wet weather, it is better to stay off the garden. Walking on it severly compacts it and affects its structure adversely. Apart from harvesting some brassicas (Brussel Sprouts are  supposed to taste better after they have been frosted) there is very little you can do anyway. Talking of Brussel Sprouts, I have been looking at the seed catalogue for next years variety. I have grown Bedford Filbasket, Trafalgar and Falstaff in the past and have enjoyed both of them. Last year, they blew before they were properly formed. I think this was because I sowed and planted them out too early.  Note to self – don’t sow Brussel Sprouts until April.