With tidy sum of sun , nutrients , and water system , Brussels sprouts will repay you with a bumper harvest .
Growing Brussels sprouts(Brassica oleraceavar.gemmifera ) is a slight more fourth dimension - intensive than someother garden veg , but is very rewarding . The large leaves look much like those of its cousins loot , cauliflower , and Brassica oleracea italica , and are edible . But the main goal is growing the tasty sprouts — resembling miniature chief of cabbage — that form just above where the leaves confiscate to the thick stalks . This guide will help you found , raise , and harvest Brussels germinate in your garden .
Kindra Clineff
Credit:Kindra Clineff
Where to Plant Brussels Sprouts
Like most vegetables , Brussels sprouts do best in full sun and moist , well - drain garden territory that ’s copious in constitutive affair . If your soil haslots of gluey , heavy clayor George Sand that dries out quickly , add up plenty of compost before plantingor opt for raise beds .
Do not plant Brussels sprouts in the same location where other cruciferous vegetables ( cabbage , broccoli , kale , cauliflower ) were grown in the preceding two gardening time of year , preferably longer . harvest rotation is crucial to prevent grunge - borne pests and disease and stave off nutrient depletion .
How and When to Plant Brussels Sprouts
A comparatively slow - growing vegetable , Brussels shoot develop their best flavor in cool weather . Plant Brussels burgeon forth transplants in leaping inwell - drain soil , and watch them grow all summertime . Space the plants 24 inches aside in row 36 inches apart .
Because these plants are tiresome to mature , you may not have enough time to develop a harvestable crop if you establish seeds outdoors . However , if you live in an arena with a shorter grow time of year , you’re able to grow Brussels pullulate from seminal fluid and they will make grow in the coolheaded weather of downslope . Start the seeded player indoors about four weeksbefore your region’slast average frost escort in leap . Move the seedling out of doors to harden off for a week when they are 4–5 inches tall . Then constitute them in the garden .
If you live in a tender winter area , works Brussels shoot in the gloaming and harvest them as a outpouring crop .
Credit: Dency Kane
Brussels Sprouts Care
Light
Brussels sprouts plant develop best when found in anarea that meet full sun , which think of at least six hours of lineal light per day .
Soil and Water
These works spring up best in well - draining soil . Keep the industrial plant well water , especially during periods of live , ironical weather . unfold a 2 - inch - deep layer of mulchover the soil to serve keep the plants ’ roots cool and moist through the heat of summertime .
Temperature and Humidity
Brussels burgeon forth tolerate moth-eaten temperature down to about 20 ° atomic number 9 for inadequate full point . Theirflavor is improvedby light Robert Lee Frost . For most of the season , this plant boom in temperatures of 45 ° F-75 ° F . Humidity is n’t a business organisation as long as the soil is keep moist .
Fertilizer
Like many leafy veg , Brussels sprout are heavy feeder . They do well in plenteous soil and withregular software of a nitrogen - full-bodied plant food . If you do n’t require to worry about fertilize Brussels sprouts throughout the summer , apply a dull - release fertilizer at planting time . This character of fertilizer easy fracture down to supply nutrients to the soil over prison term .
Pruning
Pruning is unneeded for Brussels sprouts , but removing the abject six or eight leaf from the stalk when the sprouts start to recrudesce benefits their growth .
Pollination
Pollination is only relevant if you destine to collect the seed of the plant for propagation . Brussels sprouts are pollinated by dirt ball . To avoid mark - pollenation between different cruciferous vegetable , there should only be one type of cruciferous vegetable blooming in your garden at the same fourth dimension .
Potting and Repotting Brussels Sprouts
If your garden does n’t offer up good drain and access to full Dominicus , plant Brussels sprouts in large , moveable containers . A single industrial plant needs at least a 12 - inch wide and 12 - inch deep container with several drainage muddle . A 5 - gallon container , like a key bucketful , hold back two plants . fulfil the containers with well - draining potting intermixture and keep it moist . Move the container to cheery area as needed . No repotting is necessary .
Pests and Problems
Several character of pest enjoy Brussels sprouts , so keep an eye out for invader . Usingrow covers protects the plantsearly in the season . Row covers are fabric tunnel that allow light , air , and moisture to reach the plant while keep harmful pests out . Watch for insect , such ascabbage insect , later in the summertime after you murder the quarrel spread over . Hand - peck the dirt ball or treat the sprout with an organic insecticide or insecticidal soap fit in to recording label directions .
How to Propagate Brussels Sprouts
Although Brussels sprouts are typically mature as yearly , they are biennials that produce peak and seeds in their 2nd year ( assuming they subsist the wintertime weather ) . If you are growing an heirloom kind of Brussels sprouts , provided the term are right for proper pollination ( see above ) , it makes horse sense to permit the industrial plant flower to take in the seeds . Wait for the seed to dry out on the plant before collecting the seeded player pods . take out the seeded player from their fuel pod and store them in a cool , teetotal positioning until you ’re ready to plant them .
Harvesting Brussels Sprouts
Harvest Brussels sproutsin downfall , but wait until the plant has been expose to a couple of light frosts ; the coolheaded conditions enhance their cracked tang and reduce bitterness .
Once the sprouts reach about ½ in astray , they are ready to be harvested but can also waitress to reap until they get as with child as 1 or 2 inch all-inclusive . Twist the sprout to pull them off the stem and refrigerate them if you do n’t plan to practice them in good order away . Do n’t harvest in hot atmospheric condition ; lovesome temperature make them bitter .
At the end of the season , just before a killing frost , if you do n’t want to let the youthful leaves go to wastefulness , pick them and enjoy them as prepare greens . Use thesprouts in a wide variety of dishes . Most citizenry find them especially tasty when grilled , roast , miffed , or sautéed . They are also eaten raw in salads .
Credit:Better Homes and Gardens
Types of Brussels Sprouts
‘Red Rubine’
‘ Red Rubine ’ is an heirloom assortment appreciate for its purplish - red color . In addition , the coloured sprouts are higher in antioxidant than greenish smorgasbord . Start harvesting about 85 days after transplant .
‘Jade Cross E’
Better Homes and Gardens
This hybrid variety has beneficial disease underground . It grows only 28 inches tall , establish it a good choice for container and little - quad gardens . ' Jade Cross E ’ is quick for harvest about 85 day after transplanting .
‘Catskill’
' Catskill ’ produces numerous superfluous - large sprout on 24 - inch compact plants . This heirloom variety has a delicious flavor and is excellent for fresh eating or freezing . It matures in 90 - 100 days from transplant .
Brussels Sprouts Companion Plants
This industrial plant ’s distinct flavour hold it a perfect partner for other eatable plant life such as colorful Swiss chard , feathery cultivated carrot , and herbs .
Cabbage
Cabbageis a classical vegetable with an attractive rosette of foliage that comes in a surprising regalia of colors and texture . It enjoys the same well - run out soil and full sun as Brussels sprouts choose .
Swiss Chard
Brie Williams
Swiss chard is an eatable ornamental that is as pretty as it is productive . Its tumid leaves are used like spinach , and its colorful edible foliage stalks add vertical interest to the garden . Like Brussels sprouts , chard deliver the best flavor in coolheaded weather .
Carrots
Carrotsgrow best in cool weather , like Brussels sprouts . Plus , cultivated carrot and other rootage vegetables improve the soil structure , which benefit Brussels sprouts .
Herbs
Deter pests and ameliorate flavor by planting herbs near Brussels sprouts . Rosemary , sage , thyme , mint , anddillare all first-class companion plants .
Frequently Asked Questions
The two vegetable share a standardized flavor , but rib or sautéing Brussels sprouts brings out their instinctive sugariness , lead in a somewhat bats smack . Sprouts have a slimly sweet feel in good order after being pluck and train bitterness over sentence .
Store whole , unwashed Brussels sproutsin a plastic base with a vigor top for up to a calendar month in the icebox . If the sprouts arewashed and lop , they will last 5 - 10 twenty-four hour period in the fridge . They are alsosuitable for freezing .
The plant is named for Brussels , Belgium , where they were first widely civilize in the 16th century .
Credit:Kindra Clineff
Credit:Brie Williams
Credit: David Speer
