[MOUNTAIN JANE]

I live in Crete in a mountain village. Has anyone had any success in the Med growing Brussel sprouts ? Many thanks.   

[John J]

Hi, I'm no expert on sprouts but my understanding is that it depends very much on the temperature in your region and your soil.
They prefer soil to be a little on the alkaline side of neutral.
They are slow-growing and take time to mature. They really need cooler conditions, even a touch of frost. If the temperature is too hot they are prone to becoming open and loose, instead of the tight, firm balls that they should be.
Sorry I can't be more positive.

[Umbrian]

When I came to live in Italy many years ago Brussel sprouts were something we missed and the only ones available occasionally were in imported packs and tasted nothing like the ones we remembered. I persuaded a small holder,who sold his produce on the local market and who quickly became a friend, to give them a go. Now he grows a few every year with varying degrees of success, seemingly dependent on the autumn/early winter weather and temperatures. This year he provided me with two stalks for Christmas but the lower sprouts were very open whilst those high up still not very developed. Our autumn has been wet and mild and only in mid December did more seasonal temperatures arrive. We treated ourself to a good serving of tiny tight ones- my preferred kind anyway!
Always worth giving something a try.........