I have just sown my Brussel sprout seeds in peatless compost. They will be planted on into 3" pots when they are big enough to handle and then I will grow them on in the pots until they are about 6" tall. They will then be set out into the soil about 2' apart each way. I do not add any compost or fertiliser to the soil because this makes the buds "blow" or open out. Also during the year I tread around the base of the plants and then hoe them up so that they do not blow over during windy weather. Although they can be harvested from October to November where I live, I find they taste much better if you pick them after they have had a frost on them. They taste their best if you can prepare and cook them within an hour of picking. Here is a link that might be useful: Tony's allotment garden blog

a sharp stream of water will dislodge them and often that's enough if you repeat it every couple days until you stop seeing them. Insecticidal soaps are another option, but it must be sprayed directly on the aphids to kill them. It is non toxic to you or pets, but should not be sprayed on any insect you don't want dead or injured. Neem oil is another option and offers a week or two of residual control. It is non toxic to you or pets and generally won't kill anything that doesn't eat the plant material (but the plant material is safe for anything that isn't an insect).

I had brussel sprouts in the spring that did squazoo, all summer they sat and grew. They are now over 4' tall and have big sprouts up the stem about halfway and then decrease until tiny tiny at the top. Our spring here was warmish and then bam, right into mid summer in temp. I guess it inhibited the growth. I was patient, actually didn't need that specific space, and it appears I will get produce after all.

I planted eight seeds in early August and they all grew nicely. When I planted the small plants in the box I had tomatoes in there already so I had to put them in the front and in between the plants. I pulled my marigolds to put the brussels spouts in the box. The plants are in full sun all day, that is when the sun shines. I was thinking the daylight must be the reason they won't grow anymore. The plants all grew after I put them in the box but then they just stalled. I cut the bottom leaves off because I saw a lady saying it would help the production of the sprouts. I guess that was wrong!! The type I planted are catskill and the day I transplanted them was 9/16 so I am gathering that was not an early enough date to put them in the box. I will try them again in Spring but I will start them indoors or I will wintersow them. I assumed that our crazy weather that was warm for all of October would have helped them grow. At this point I will not touch them until I can't stand looking at my failure! I hope they don't freeze solid before then. Next week we have preditions for 60 degrees. haha!! Maybe they will have a growth spurt.