sprouts how to harvest

[Ladygardener]

Some of my sprouts are ready for eating and I've got enough home with me today for dinner. I just wondered is there a certain way to get them off the stalks? It might be because I have arthritis in my hands and wrists but I find them very difficult to get off. How does everyone else manage? I'm leaving the stalk and only taking some sprouts off at a time. Do you cut them off with a knife? i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/smiley.gif

[Tig]

I just twist mine off LG, starting at the bottom of the stalk and moving up. I take the leaves off as I go which makes it easier, not that I had many leaves left after the cabbage white caterpillars had a banquet!

You could use a knife to slice them off if yours are firmly attached to the plant

x Tig

[Ladygardener]

Thanks Tig, I thought I was missing something obvious but I'll bring a knife with me next time I go.

[farmersboy]

You use the very base of the thumb,where it joins your hand,LG,put it on the top of a sprout,and push down,thats how the expert sprout pickers do it,ive picked all day,for weeks like that,leading up to Xmas,when lots were needed,..........theses days the stalks are cut off at the bottom,and then fed into a machine that takes off the sprouts

[Ladygardener]

Thanks FB good to see you :)I'll try using the base of my thumb next time. I'll have my knife with me just in case.

[Chuckles]

Great tip FB, I call that bit the chicken leg ;D

I struggle picking them sometimes LG, some just don't want to leave the stem do they. I sometimes just cut the stem off and pick them as I need them, they do last quite well on the stem in a cool place.

[Ladygardener]

Glad to hear it's not just me Chuckles. They're not all ready yet you see so there would'nt be any point in me cutting the whole stalk. I just take the biggest ones for my dinner and leave the rest to grow, or in some cases to be eaten by something. I found a couple of little green caterpillars on them.

[carolann]

I push the sprouts down off the stem as I have trouble holding them and I take the leaves off as I go up and any which are changing colour as well.

[Ladygardener]

Thanks Carol, I've taken off quite a few yellow leaves too.

[jean]

Arthritis is such a pain LG, one of my finger tips has decided to start bending in the wrong direction (anti inflamatories along with glucosamine with chondroitin do help) Oh well, sprouts - harvest them in any way you can, I use my thumbs and push down and twist but a knife is fine

Its a good idea to take off yellowing leaves from brassicas and remove them from the beds. The plants don't need them and they can harbour lots of bugs.

[Ladygardener]

Hope your medication gives you some ease Jean.
I'm off up to the allotment tomorrow all being well. I'll be putting all your good advice into practice if there are any sprouts that have'nt been eaten.