I won’t lie, I enjoy them shaved into wispy threads and tossed with a vinaigrette in the summer.Cozy sweaters and fuzzy slippers come out of storage, warming up next to a real fire in the fireplace becomes an option… and there are brussels sprouts.There’s nothing that I can grow in my vegetable patch that reminds me of the coming winter in quite the same way as garden-fresh sprouts, roasted with some balsamic vinegar and pine nuts.There are brussels sprouts for those who struggle with mildew in their gardens, and varieties for people who worry about wind gusts wreaking havoc on their harvest.I like to picture old Arthur playing a pickup game of baseball with his grandkids, using sprouts as the ball and the stalks as the bat, but I have been accused of being overly imaginative with my crops.Regardless of whether you need to go on a little narrative journey like the one I’ve provided to be convinced that this cultivar is worth your while, the little heads will win you over with their rich flavor, and texture that holds up well to freezing.While you may not get a massive harvest with this variety – since each stalk only holds about 10 buds – the well-spaced sprouts make the plant less likely to contract Alternaria, thanks to the good airflow.Brussels sprouts sometimes don’t produce good yields if they develop too late in the spring growing season, because that’s when the weather can become unexpectedly hot.And when I say high yields, I mean it – you can bring in over 14 ounces of veggies per plant, which is impressive.‘Dagan’ grows straight and tall, which is perfect if you’re looking for a bouquet of sprouts for your dinner table or farmers market stand.This hybrid variety takes 100 days to mature and the sprouts hold well in the garden too, so you won’t ruin your harvest if you don’t get to them right away.That means they snap off of the plant easily, and don’t have a big base that you’ll need to trim away when you’re ready to eat them.This pretty hybrid plant grows two feet tall and produces smooth, solid, medium-sized heads.When the plant is hit by a frost, the buds turn incredibly nutty and sweet – perhaps like Beelzebub himself will, once hell freezes over?The plant is slow to mature, taking around 110 days, so it may lend itself better to growing in the fall rather than the spring, particularly in warmer zones.That way, you can avoid the early heat that may destroy spring crops that stick around in the garden for too long.You can also start seeds early indoors if you just can’t wait for fall, and transplant seedlings as soon as you can work the ground in the spring.Ready to harvest in just 85 days, the hybrid plants reach up to 36 inches tall, and you get plenty of veggies on one stalk.‘Gustus’ is newer on the scene, but it’s quickly making a name for itself as a hybrid cultivar that deserves a spot in your garden.I don’t want to admit how long I let mine linger in the refrigerator one year, but let’s just say the pages of my calendar definitely flipped more than once.If you are experimenting with new types, even though this one isn’t as popular on the brussels sprout scene, give it a chance.There’s a general rule with brussels sprouts: the early maturing varieties tend to not hold well in the garden.As if that’s not enough to recommend it, this is only the second brussels sprout variety to win the All-America Selections (AAS) award in the vegetables category, in 2015.The bright green buds have a buttery yellow interior and they grow uniformly on the stalk.While all sprouts taste better after they experience a frost, this hybrid type doesn’t need to get as cold as some others to develop that sweet flavor.The hybrid plant is disease resistant and, because it grows with a compact habit, it doesn’t tip over as easily as some of the taller varieties.And for good reason – the medium-sized heads of this heirloom variety have a nutty, earthy, buttery flavor that’s pretty hard to beat.These picture-perfect little veggies have a lovely deep green color and a robust, nutty flavor packed into a small, one-inch package.The buds are ready to harvest in 120 days, at which point you’ll be greeted by tender, sweet treats.But the thing that really makes this variety stand out is that the heads are well-spaced on the stalk, so they get plenty of air circulation to help avoid disease problems.That’s because it rewards your growing efforts with tons of dark green buds that are filled with a surprisingly intense, sweet, nutty flavor.Topping is the process of cutting off the topmost tip of the plant to discourage it from growing taller.‘Octia’ is a hybrid and produces well-spaced buds on a stalk that grows up to 36 inches tall, which discourages Alternaria thanks to good airflow, and makes the harvest super easy.The purple heads are ready to pick in 140 to 145 days, and this cultivar is best suited to cooler growing zones.With such a short number of days to maturity, you should be able to grow these even in warmer zones without fear of bolting.But I know that if my mom had presented me with a stalk of brussels sprouts that we got to play with before we roasted the heads with some butter, I might have had an entirely different take on them when I was young.If you have room, I think you should plant multiple varieties so you can have all kinds of sizes suited to different culinary uses, and different maturation dates for a continuous supply.Product photos via Amazon, Burpee, Eden Brothers, Gurney’s, Pase Seeds, and True Leaf Market. .
How to Grow Brussels Sprouts
Sprouts are hardy plants and will grow in most sites but will need to be staked in Autumn in exposed areas to prevent blowing over in high winds.If you choose staggered planting dates sprouts can be harvested for a long period from September to February.You do need to be careful, however, not to let the compost plug completely dry out or it will form a crust on top and won't absorb the moisture the next time you water.You can leave the cloche off the plants on dry frost free days and replace at night.Gradually increase the time with the cloche removed until the end of the week when can you leave it off day and night.If you have started your seeds on a windowsill you will need to leave them in an unheated room for a day or two before moving outside to the cloche.Make a hole in the soil with a trowel or dibber slightly deeper than the seedling root ball.A light sprinkle of seaweed/poultry manure around the planting hole will help your broccoli get off to a good start.Keep your sprouts well watered in dry weather, all brassicas prefer a moist soil.Our 'Seamungus' seaweed-chicken manure pellets are an excellent source of nitrogen which will be perfect for leafy crops like cauliflower.Hoeing not only removes the weeds but it also breaks up the surface of the soil and creates a fine texture or 'tilth'.A good tilth lets air and moisture in to the roots of your plants thus increasing their vigour.Recent transplants are most vulnerable and will die, when plants are lifted you will find small white maggots around the roots.Use cabbage collars fixed around the plant stems or cover the crop with protective mesh or fleece.Cabbage caterpillars are active between may and October and lay clusters of yellow eggs under the leaves.Leather jackets and Cutworms are a similar grey/brown colour and live below the surface of the soil where the emerge from at night.Clubroot likes acid soil so adding ground limestone or calcifies seaweed will help prevent it's spread.Remove any yellowing leaves as you go as they can harbour disease and restrict airflow around the ripening sprouts.If you're heading up to the in-laws for Christmas and have told them you're bringing your homegrown sprouts harvest cut the whole stalk, they'll keep longer. .
How to grow Brussels sprouts / RHS Gardening
For an early crop, sow in a greenhouse in small pots or modular trays in February, for harvesting from August.Brussels are traditionally sown in a separate seed bed, rather than on the main veg plot, then transplanted in early summer, once more space is available.From mid-May to early June, when the young plants are 10–15cm (4–6in) tall and have seven true leaves, transplant them to their final growing position:.Start picking the lowest sprouts first, when they are the size of a walnut, firm and still tightly closed.A mid season variety, it stands very well and produces good quality, solid sprouts.'Red Ball' Has a sweet, mild taste, a striking appearance and will retain it's colour when steamed.Ready for harvesting from late November onwards with a high yield of medium to large dark green sprouts.Buy £3.49 ‘Crispus’ AGM A club root resistant variety which has excellent standing ability and can be cropped as early as September.Uniform plants with mid to dark green, smooth, dense sprouts that a well spaced on the stalk.Birds, especially pigeons, can cause an array of problems including eating seedlings, buds, leaves, fruit and vegetables.Scarecrows and bird-scaring mechanisms work for a while, but the most reliable method of protection is to cover plants with horticultural fleece or mesh.White larvae approximately 5cm (2in) long, feed on the roots just below the soil surface, stunting growth and causing plants to wilt and die. .
Recommended varieties of Brussels Sprouts in the UK
The prices below were last updated in November 2018.A very mild tasting sprout with no bitter flavours, ideal for kids.postage)One of the most significant developments in Brussels sprouts, Crispus is very resistant to club root.The resistance is to such a high degree that this is the only recommended variety to grow on land where club root previously occurred.Maximus is a top performing early Brussels sprout variety with great taste and reliability at unbeatable prices.postage)Good resistance to leaf spot, powdery mildew and other common diseases. .
How to Grow Brussels Sprouts in Containers
These plants naturally grow vertically without support, making them a suitable addition to a space-saving container garden. .
13 Best Brussels Sprouts Varieties to Grow in Your Garden
I’m on the love end of the spectrum, and I’ve tried growing several different Brussels sprouts varieties to see which ones I like the most.One of the most common Brussels sprouts varieties is ‘Catskill,’ an heirloom plant developed in 1941 by Arthur White.‘Churchill’ is one of the most popular hybrid Brussels sprouts varieties that grow fast and matures early.Springtime and fall are the two ideal times for growing Brussels sprouts, but that doesn’t always line up with the number of days you have available for growth.One reason that gardeners like growing ‘Dagan’ Brussels sprouts is that the buds are attached to the plant with a small nub.It’s best to grow them in the fall because chances are you won’t have enough time to harvest them in the spring before hot weather hits.This plant produces small, emerald green sprouts with a beautiful yellow interior when cut open.They have a buttery, earthy flavor; all you have to do is spread some oil, salt, and pepper over the top.Another reason to add ‘Green Gems’ to your garden plans is that the plant only takes 85 days to reach maturity.‘Gustus’ is the new kid on the block when it comes to Brussels sprouts varieties, but despite being a newer hybrid, gardeners are raving about this plant.It produces medium-sized sprouts on a two-foot-tall stalk, and the buds are dense, sweet, and a dark green color.Make sure you mark your calendars because ‘Gustus’ takes around 100 days to reach maturity.‘Hestia’ is one of the only one of two Brussels sprout varieties to earn the All-America Selections award (it won in 2015), so you know that this is an amazing plant.One difference between ‘Hestia’ and other varieties is that these sprouts don’t need to experience a frost to have the sweet flavor.Typically, it’s recommended that you leave your sprouts on your plant until a frost happens, causing them to develop a sweeter taste.They’re more like a button, but the small size helps them maintain their flavor better and store better in the freezer.‘Jade Cross’ was the first Brussels sprout variety to get the All-America Selections award in 1959, and it’s continued to be a favorite since then.Unlike other varieties, it matures quickly, only taking 85 days to reach harvesting time.The plants produce medium-sized sprouts that have a nutty, earthy, buttery flavor that matures in 100 days.‘Nautic’ takes up to 120 days to reach maturity, and when you harvest the plants, you’ll enjoy sweet, tender sprouts that store well for months to come.‘Redarling’ is a hybrid cultivar that takes a long time to mature than other varieties because of its deep, rich color. .
Growing Brussels Sprouts In Containers
Growing Brussels sprouts in containers is not difficult, and with little efforts, you can have this nutty and sweet vegetable at home.As clay pots remain cool, drains well and provide good air circulation.You can also look for transplants in the nearby nursery if you missed sowing seeds on time or want readily available plants.Growing Brussels sprouts indoors is possible, if you’ve got a spot that receives enough sunlight.Like other Cabbage family plants, Brussels sprouts do well in the slightly clayey growing medium as this helps in having firm roots and keeping the soil moist.Tip: Cabbage family crops like Brussels sprouts are prone to Boron deficiency.You can look for symptoms like hollow stems, small sprouts, low productivity, slow growth, dying growing tip.It is important to prevent the drying of the soil in the period when the plant is maturing and at the time of head formation.Brussels sprouts are heavy feeders; you can mix well-rotted manure at the time of planting in the potting mix and side dress the plants either with compost or manure or with balanced fertilizer 3-4 weeks later after the transplanting time.For a home gardener, harvesting Brussels sprouts from the bottom-up is the best way to ensure the steady supply of this nutty and sweet tasting vegetable.But if you want your sprouts all at once, cut off the terminal bud (top part) 3-4 weeks before harvesting time.Keep an eye on pests like aphids, thrips, cabbageworm, and flea beetles.Usually, to reach the harvesting window, the plant takes around 3 months of time after transplanting, depending more on the variety.Harvest the sprouts from the bottom as they mature earlier than the top ones, when they are 1 to 2 inches in diameter, looking firm and green. .
