Pull old leaves off sprouts

As autumn tightens its grip, winter brassicas become important in the veg plot. They’re mostly hardy and will provide crops through the coming winter, but to keep them healthy and to discourage pests it’s important to keep yellow leaves picked off and kept off the soil. If left they’ll provide perfect hiding places for snails and slugs. They may also harbour diseases such as white rust and aphids. As Brussels sprouts start to swell, in early varieties they can be harvested. They need to be picked when mature but before they start to expand.