bonefinder, I have only planted brussel sprouts once up here, back in 2014. According to my journal I started them indoors mid March and at the end of the season I had bunch of brussel sprouts, the largest about 1/2 inch in diameter. The plants were huge, a good 2 foot diameter. I decided they were not worth the real estate they consumed. However, if you have a large space, give them a try! I would love to hear if you have better success.

Wow Conifer4, that is extremely helpful. I was planning on starting them outdoors mid summer but I can absolutely start them this month. I would transfer the outdoors well after frost? I think I have a good spot for them at the south side of the garden, on the inside. They would be in a row along the fence, which I would have to buffer from the deer who stroll by. I am going to give art a whirl. Thanks very much.

BF, I'm not sure what stage your tomatoes are at right now. But below I've added the next pruning step.


Tomato pruning step by step: continued...
When pruning, be sure your hands and tools are VERY clean.

1. Once the first set of "true leaves" fully develop, remove the initial seed leaves (cotyledons) well before they turn yellow.

2. A few days before you are ready to up-pot from the seed-starting pot to a taller intermediary pot, remove the lower leaves. This allows the cuts to heal a little before you repot as deep as you can.

Do this each time that you up-pot. I typically up-pot 2 or 3 times before I transplant the tomatoes to their final growing spot for the season.


It will be awhile before I post the next step as I'll need to take photos and my tomatoes are just now germinating.

Thanks so much, CT. I will follow those directions. Everything has sprouted except the black cherry variety. Seems odd.

It happens. And sometimes we don't know exactly why.

Just start another pot(s) with some clean seed starting mix and plant more seeds. There is still plenty of time. And who knows, the other seeds may still sprout.

I will do just that. I used the cutting mix formula and everything started right away except those. Still waiting on all the peppers to sprout but you or somebody said they are a bit slower and I did start them after the tomatoes. One Brussel sprout has "sprouted". Cilantro all growing, which I will move to the hydroponic system along with a bunch of lettuce that sprouted.

I picked up some brussel sprouts seedlings at Moores 2 years ago at the end of June when they put everything on clearance. I planted them in my hoop house. I had great yields-I had 2 or 3 plants and picked several #'s of sprouts, enough to freeze some. My largest were similar in size to those you purchase at the store. I had no idea they get as large as they do or would have planted them elsewhere but they definitely were a success!

Great to know, Carolyn! This is Bonnie, btw. Small world! Two out of three of mine have sprouted in short order. Third one is thinking about it. I have a spot in mind to plant them.

Bonefinder, I would put them out the same time you put out broccoli or kale. Sometime after the last hard frost, they can take a light frost.

<<Bonefinder, I would put them out the same time you put out broccoli or kale. Sometime after the last hard frost, they can take a light frost.>>
Thanks. I will do just that.
I got SO much stuff done today. Cleaned out our small greenhouse, dug out the geraniums I over wintered for the firs time ever. I could not BELIEVE how great they looked. One small one was just plain dead. Another larger one looked kind of dead but there was green growth underneath the brown stems. The rest looked spectacular. All kinds of new shoots. I was not optimistic, this first time out, but I could see no reason to not give it a whirl this winter, given the price of Tatonka Farms' geraniums, which I love. I got them all potted up and sat them on the back patio table for the afternoon and then moved them inside. Asparagus seeds haven't done anything yet but it's early. Some of the peppers have finally sprouted. Boy, those sure took awhile. The black cherry tomatoes never did a thing. I am debating trying them again. With the other three varieties, I have 9 plants doing well.

It is too early for hail! None or most of us don't have our plants out yet!!!