Never heard that one macky. I think they all prefer pretty fertile soil. I think it's all about a timing thing. I've had differently timed successions of broccoli and cauli in the same plot turn out different sized heads. I can plant them from Aug-Feb, but I notice the closer I get to the winter solstice to planting, the smaller the head. Which makes sense because the amount of sunlight. I also notice that my winter harvests(when planted in late/summer/early fall) are a bit better than my early summer summer harvests. With my Brussels, I get big plants and I get sprouts. They're just always loose leaf sprouts. I read last year that July is supposed to be optimum for them here, so I'll give it one more shot I don't know how that's supposed to work out though -- our summers don't really get going until late july. Kevin

Kristen, It's best to identify the pest and take the time to learn that there is not a "cure all" for every pest at every stage of it's life cycle. Some won't work if it's going to rain. Some don't work well if it's too hot, etc. Pest management is complex, if you want to learn, a good place to start is here: Integrated Pest Management This lecture is presented in two parts. Each part is 90-minutes in length. Recorded in Sacramento County in California's Sacramento Valley, this lecture is by Mary Louise Flint, Ph.D., Director, IPM Education and Publications, UC Statewide IPM Project and Extension Entomologist & Cooperative Extension Specialist. Education: B.S. Plant Science, University of California, Davis Ph.D. Entomology, University of California, Berkeley Appointment: 100% Cooperative Extension Research Interests: Integrated pest management of landscape, agricultural and garden pests; biological control of arthropod pests; alternatives to pesticides; adoption of alternative practices by practitioners; innovative delivery of pest management information. Topics discussed in the Integrated Pest Management Lecture: * IPM references and resources * Preventing pest problems * Natural common enemies * Making less toxic pesticide choices * Controlling aphids, scales, caterpillars, coddling moths, tree borers, snails and slugs, and lawn insects. You can watch the programs now online: Just make sure you have Real Player installed or download it free. Integrated Pest Management Part1 90 minutes Integrated Pest Management Part 2 90 minutes You'll want to bookmark the following link to Professor Flint's Lab Research on: Controlling Pests in Gardens and Landscapes: Vegetables and Melons I promise you'll learn one or two things to put in your gardening bag of pest management arsenals. ;)

If I remember right, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli seedlings all look pretty similar. I grew some last spring, and if I hadn't labeled them, I don't know if I could have told them apart. Did quite a bit of searching on the Net. This is the only picture I've found so far of just sprouted Brussels sprouts. Here is a link that might be useful: Young Brussels sprouts, etc.

Was able to look at the link, great (yet discouraging) information. Will be checking out that site for other info, it's in my bookmarks, thanks carolb! Looks like even if I manage to keep the sprouts alive and bring them to harvest, the sprouts may not be great lol. If they struggle this much during the spring I can't imagine they will make it through the summer though. I'll stick with it until they keel over. I applied full shade for today, this morning everything seemed the same, no better no worse. Still haven't watered everything so as the soil dries we'll see if things improve. Silvia I am not big on collards but my wife is so I might give it a try. Trying to stay away from other crops that grow wide as I have a very small back yard and beds. However leaving it a dry wasteland is not helping anyone so might as well! :) I was at a farmers market last night and I was in a conversation with someone when I mentioned I lost half my garden in the last two days. Immediately at least 7 people turned towards us and said "Me too!!" so at least I'm not going crazy thinking it's me doing something wrong! The farmers said it's most certainly the heat, to apply shading and water frequently, same as suggested here on the forum. The shading is mostly done, holding off on watering until the soil gets back to normal from my overwatering. Even though I am not having much success I am having a blast experimenting and learning :) Today I'll be investigating some other stuff going on in my garden, will be posting separate forum threads on each rather than cluttering up this one. oldmangroot, carolb_w_fl, whgille and Silvia thank you for the feedback and making a rookie feel welcome :)