Sprouts -what do I do with the leaves?

[Sheila Dodds]

My sprouts are about the size of maltesers - not grown them before.

I have leaves coming out from the stem with little sprouts at each leaf joint. When I've looked at pics of sprout plants non of them appear to have leaves apart from the top. Are you supposed to remove them as the sprouts form and the plant gets taller?

the sprouts grow from the leaf joints so at present leave them on. However when they start to turn yellow then you ca remove them as they harbour pests and deseases.

[lynda66]

These are my sprout plants from last year, the colour of them really intensifies after a frost. They taste a bit different from green sprouts too, a bit less bitter.

i'll be happy to grow sprouts when they make some that dont taste of sprout at all ......... yukkkkkkkkk!!!

[di]

Do the purple ones stay purple after cooking?

[Flummery]

If your sprouts are well staked you can leave the top bunch of leaves on and then cook them afterwards. A lot of the 'spring green's on sale are sprout tops. (or in some cases, spring purples!)