As long as you plant them at the right time, keep them cool and well watered during the heat of summer, and protect them from pests, Brussels sprouts are a rewarding vegetable crop to grow—an accomplishment!Brussels sprouts form as buds along the main stem of the plant, just above each leaf axil. .
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 and Care for Brussels Sprouts
Common Name Brussels sprouts Botanical Name Brassica oleracea var.gemmifera Family Brassicaceae Plant Type Biennial, annual, vegetable Size 2–3 ft. tall, 1 ft.
wide Sun Exposure Full sun Soil Type Loamy, well-drained Soil pH Neutral Bloom Time Summer Hardiness Zones 2–10 (USDA) Native Area Mediterranean.Brussels sprouts require a growing season of 80 days or more, and they improve in flavor after being subjected to a light frost.In general, plant seeds approximately four months prior to your area's projected first fall frost date.Brussels sprouts perform best in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days.Brussels sprouts like a loamy, well-drained soil that's rich in organic matter.It's ideal to mix a thick layer of compost into the soil prior to planting.Brussels sprouts prefer temperatures between 45 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, though they can tolerate short spells below freezing.Humidity typically isn't an issue as long as their soil moisture needs are met and there's good air flow around the plants.Use an organic vegetable fertilizer that’s high in nitrogen starting once the seedlings reach around 6 inches tall.'Jade Cross' is a compact, high-yield plant that's good for windy locations and can withstand some hot weather.is a compact, high-yield plant that's good for windy locations and can withstand some hot weather.'Long Island Improved' is another small but high-yield plant that stands up to wind and tolerates freezing.If you don’t have a suitable garden site for a Brussels sprouts plant, container growth can be a good option.Unglazed clay is an ideal material because it will allow excess soil moisture to evaporate through its walls as well.However, you should promptly remove any damaged or diseased portions before they weaken the entire plant.You also can remove yellowed leaves to allow the plant to put its effort into sprout production.Because most people grow Brussels sprouts as annuals, they won’t be able to collect seeds in the plant’s second year for propagation.Position the cut piece with the stem side down so that it’s just submerged in a shallow dish of water.Brussels sprouts seeds germinate best at temperatures between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.To start plants in containers, gently press the seeds into a moist seed-starting mix.Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and put the container in a warm spot with bright, indirect light.Just make sure to plant early enough for your area to be able to harvest before frigid temperatures set in.Several fungal diseases also can affect Brussels sprouts, including black rot, clubroot, downy mildew, and white mold. .
A Guide to Growing Brussel Sprouts
Love them or hate them, Brussels sprouts are a great winter vegetable, high in vitamin C and which can help to lower cholesterol.Make sure you keep the seedbed moist, not saturated and when the Brussels sprout plants are about 2.5cm tall, thin the seedlings to roughly 7.5cm apart.From mid-May to early June, when the Brussels sprouts are about 10-15cm high you can transplant them outdoors.They like a sheltered, sunny spot, protected from winds and you’ll probably need to add more well-rotted manure or other general-purpose fertiliser .Weed carefully by hand around the plants to avoid disturbing the roots.And you may be surprised to learn that birds love Brussels sprouts so protect them with netting or fleece and watch out for caterpillars!When picking, start with the lowest sprouts and make sure they are tightly closed and about 2 cm wide. .
How to grow brussels sprouts: guide to planting and growing
Love them or hate them, there is no denying the health benefits from home grown brussels sprouts.Brussels sprouts will give you a healthy harvest all through the winter months, making them a great addition to consider when planning vegetable garden ideas.One of the best things about learning how to grow brussels sprouts is that they will provide you with a crop for your vegetable garden long after all summer harvests have ended when.Part of the organisation involved when you're planning when to plant vegetables is ensuring a succession of crops for as much of the year as possible.The ideal climate is the 'fog belt' of the Pacific Northwest, however, brussels sprouts can be grown successfully almost anywhere when you understand the conditions the plants need.'Exposure to a few frosts actually enhances the flavour of the sprouts,' explains Leona Bergman of Cedar Circle Farm (opens in new tab) and Education Center based in Vermont.'They don’t really like the heat but will survive through our hot summers, yielding a delightful harvest very late in the season.'.Brussels sprouts need a well draining soil and don’t require many nutrients, making them easy an crop to grow and perfect for beginners.For the best results when growing brussels sprouts, start sowing the seeds early for a long harvest.Once growing well, brussel sprout plants need to be watered regularly and staked to avoid toppling over.Just mulch around the stem as the weather cools, which is one of the ways to protect plants from frost, and you can harvest fresh sprouts all through the winter, into early spring the following year.'If any of the lower leaves of the plant show any yellowing, strip them off at once,' advises Leona Bergman of Cedar Circle Farm. .
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. .
Brussels Sprouts : Tips from Seed to Harvest – Vermont Organic
It is well worth noting that often store bought Brussels sprouts are picked too early, and it shows in their bitter flavor and tough texture.Picking them fresh from the farm or garden after a few frosts sweetens the flavor and makes them tender, offering a whole different experience!Generally treated like broccoli or cauliflower, Brussels sprouts prefer well-drained soil and do not require excessive nutrients.They don’t really like the heat but will survive through our hot summers, yielding a delightful harvest very late in the season.(By the way: the younger, tender leaves can be cooked up much like collards or turnip greens, if that’s your idea of a good time.).Another practice is topping, or cuttiing off the growing tip of the plant when the sprouts are present but immature.Late August to mid September, or 3 weeks before the first harvest, is the best time to prune the tops in our region.The reason for doing it is to send the remaining energy of the plant in to sizing up your sprouts rather the in to creating new leaf growth.We’ll prune the top in mid September to stimulate larger sprouts in late fall.Once plants begin to set sprouts, they can become a bit top-heavy and could be prone to wind damage (or even be blown over).Remember to cull the yellowed or blackened leaves often, and give the bottom (stalk end) a fresh cut. .
