As with all vegetables, Brussels sprouts taste better grown at home. These miniature cabbage looking sprouts are a delight for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners as well as a tasty side dish during winter months.
Pick a spot with plenty of sun, minimum of 8 hours each day.
Brussels sprouts require fertilizer, hummus-rich soil, so dig in plenty of well rotted compost in prior to sowing in the spring. If your soil is acidic, sprinkle in agriculture lime, or if your soil is alkaline, add a small amount of sulfur. Brussels sprouts prefer a pH of 6.5 – 7.5.
You can start sowing seed in mid-March to mid-April . Sow thinly to a depth of 1/2″. Once your little sprouts have reached 2-3″ tall, thin them to 2 to 2 1/2′ apart to allow them plenty of growing space. As they grow you can draw the soil in around the base to give them support in the wind. Compost can also be used to place around the plants rather than drawing soil up. By using compost, it helps add nutrients as well as suppress weeds through the growing season. Extra tall plants may need additional staking. Keep the soil evenly moist, but never soggy.
Once Brussels sprouts have reached 6″ tall add some general fertilizer around the base of each plant. Fertilizing every six weeks through the growing season.
Brussels sprouts general take 36 weeks from sowing. So by patient! Pick the buttons from the bottom of the stalk upward when they are about 1″, or the size of a cherry tomato. They are sweeter after a frost. The top leaves of the plant can also be cooked.
If you have problems with clubroot, lime your soil if it’s acidic. Place collars around the base of each plant, or cover with insect netting to protect from cabbage root fly. Cabbage white caterpillars will feed happily on leaves of Brussels sprouts, so protect early with lightweight row cover or spray with Bt once butterflies are present.
Great taste in the kitchen:
Brussels Sprouts with Cheese & Walnuts
Stem Brussels sprouts till just tender then place them in a grill pan. Sprinkle cheese over the top and grill till cheese has melted. Add chopped walnuts, and black pepper to taste.
Out Standing In The Garden 