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If tomatoes are the hoagy of the summer garden , then brussels sprout are the king of cool - season crops . Not only do they make a visually interesting accession to thefall vegetable garden , but brussels sprout are incredibly good for you , too . They ’re load down with antioxidants that help prevent jail cell damage in the body , mellow in fiber , and rich in vitamins K , C , and B6 , K , iron , thiamine , magnesium , and phosphorus . They ’re even a serious rootage of ALA omega-3 fat person dot .
These delicious members of the cabbage family love cooler weather condition , so they develop best when grow for a fall or other wintertime harvest , countenance you toenjoy your garden in the winter . While they might require a longer acquire time of year than peas or carrots , these tips for growing brussels sprouts will have you glean your own crop in no time .
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Growing Brussels Sprouts at a Glance
Common Name : Brussels sproutsScientific Name : Brassica oleraceavar.gemmiferaHardiness Zone : Zones 2 to 10Soil : Well - draining , pH 6 to 7Light : Full sunWater : RegularFood : gamey - atomic number 7 veggie fertilizerPropagation : Seeds , cuttingsSafety : Nontoxic
Brussels SproutCharacteristics
Though many the great unwashed name to them as “ brussel ” sprout , the common name forBrassica oleraceaof the Gemmifera cultivar group is , in fact , brussels sprouts . A distant congener of a groundless table mustard once farm by the ancient Romans , brussels sprouts take their name from Brussels , Belgium , where they were first cultivated in the 16th one C .
Most brussels sprout require 3 to 4 calendar month of growing timefrom seed , so the trickiest part about growing brussels sprouts is the timing . The brussels sprouts growing season will greatly calculate on the climate in which you hold out . Because they do n’t stand heat well , they are think nerveless - season vegetables . In general , brussels sprouts favour temperature between 45 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit , though they can tolerate lower temperature . In fact , theUniversity of Minnesota Extensionstates brussels sprout can stay in the garden as long as temperature quell above 20 degree . Many assortment are sweeter and full in flavor when harvested after the first freezing .
Seen in a fall garden full of viningfall squashand compactlettuce , brussels sprouts add some comestible drama to the admixture . Growing to heights from 2 to 3 base , they acquire roundish unripe , or sometimes imperial , miniature cabbage - like buds all along their stem , with a crown of leaves at the top .
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Recommended Brussels Sprout Varieties
PlantingBrussels Sprouts
There are several plants that can be problematical in the company of brussels sprouts . Fennel is a foe to most veggies in the garden , since it ’s allelopathic — meaning it expel compounds into the soil around it that will bottle up the growth of other plant . Likewise , strawberriesare do it to stunt the growth of brussels sprouts . Tomatoes , potatoes , and other members of the nightshade family can know stunted ontogeny if planted too close to brussels sprout crop .
A number of plants will make excellentcompanion plantsfor brussels sprouts , include genus Nasturtium and marigolds , which are conceive to help guard off cabbage worms . Other fellow plant life admit spinach , aromatic herbaceous plant , sunflowers , and anything in the onion category .
When is the best time to plant brussels sprouts?
To determine the undecomposed time to plant , consider backwards from thefirst capitulation frost dateusing the seminal fluid packet as your scout for timing . Most brussels spud mature between 80 and 90 days , so use the specific seeded player variety ’s day to maturity to determine when they should go in the earth . It ’s usually 4 months before that fall rime date .
The stages of grow brussels sprouts can differ based on winter climate . Seeds should be started in early to mid - summertime for a fall or early winter harvest . If wintertime are mild , stand for rarely below freeze , seeds can be start up later in summertime for a mid- to late - wintertime harvest home .
Where can brussels sprouts grow?
Brussels sprouts need soil that drain speedily and is copious in nutrient . Try addingcompostto the soil before institute . Planting brussels sprouts in raise bed can help maintain a more consistent soil temperature . to boot , mulching the beds will keep the soil from getting too hot in the summer . verify they are getting at least 6 to 8 hour of sunshine per 24-hour interval .
How much space do brussels sprouts need to grow ? Unless indicated otherwise on the seed packet or produce instructions , aim to space brussels sprout at 18 to 24 inches apart to give them mess of room to grow .
How do you plant Brussels sprouts?
Planting brussels sprouts is a wide-eyed cognitive operation . industrial plant once they are at a seedling height of 6 inch or direct sow ejaculate in the grime .
If you are wondering how to produce brussels shoot from seeds , start them indoors in a lineament source starting mix . Plant directly from seedlings follow step 3 and 4 above .
Can you grow brussels sprouts in containers?
Brussels germinate can indeed be grown in container . Here ’s how to produce brussels sprouts in hatful : Find a container that is at least 1 foot wide and as inscrutable with spate of drain holes . A braggart passel , or even a 5 - congius bucket with hole drill in the bottom , can work well . Use a potting soil with added compost to ensure the soil will drain quickly . For good success , calculate for grow a gnome sort such as ‘ Long Island ’ or ‘ Catskill ’ .
inseminate every 4 week to ensure the flora are dumbfound enough nutrients . Water consistently , go along in idea the soil in pots dries out faster than in the ground , and check that the crapper are place somewhere they ’ll receive enough sunshine .
WateringBrussels Sprouts
To ensure strong sprout development , make certain the brussels sprout plants have a consistent watering agenda . Like most vegetables , brussels sprouts do not wish squashy ground , but they do need it equally moist . They wish about 1 inch of water per calendar week per square foot of soil , however they might require more piss , peculiarly if it is hot , dry , or the territory is sandy and drains faster .
Because brussels sprout are a coolheaded time of year crop , be mindful of keep the soil moist enough in summer month , supplementing with regular tearing if the weather is hot or wry . Mulching the bedswill help maintain moisture and keep the temperature of the soil tank in hot weather .
FertilizingBrussels Sprouts
Once seedlings attain 6 inches high , they should be thinned and inseminate with a nitrogen - richvegetable fertilizer . They can then be fertilise every 3 to 4 week throughout the growing season .
PruningBrussels Sprouts
asunder from remove damaged , diseased , or yellowing leafage by hand , there is no indigence to prune brussels sprouts . remove these poor leave , however , will assist the plant put more campaign into grow the sprouts .
PropagatingBrussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are broadly propagated from either germ or start . Becausebrussels sprout are biennialsand wo n’t bring forth any seed - holding flowers until the second year , most nurseryman pull up the plants each twelvemonth and spud new ejaculate from parcel the follow growing season .
Because they appreciate cooler atmospheric condition , it ’s most vulgar to sow in brussels sprout seed in the garden , thoughseeds can be started indoors . Some gardener will endeavor to grow seedling propagated from brussels sprouts as cuttings . It ’s not necessarily the most successful method , but it can be fun to try . bug out in the late spring or early summer for cool decline weather harvesting .
Safety Considerations
Brussels sprout are nontoxic to fauna , however , they contain raffinose , an indigestible fiber that can stimulate accelerator pedal in many animals and humans . Cooked brussels sprout are easygoing to stand , but still can cause stomach temper .
Potential Pests and Diseases
Like other industrial plant in the cultivated cabbage family , brussels sprouts are prone to a phone number of pests and diseases . The most plebeian pests includeaphids , gelt loopers , cabbage worms , cabbage root maggot , flea beetles , andstink bug . Fungus can include blank mould , calamitous guff , and downy mildew .
One of the best way to prevent any pestilence or disease is topractice crop rotation . Always avoid planting any member of theBrassicaceafamily , including brussels sprouts andbroccoli , in the same garden bed from class to year . Any pests or diseases can be transferred in the dirt , so not only should infect works be put down straightaway , the bed should not be used the next yr for any plant in this family .
HarvestingBrussels Sprouts
A single brussels sprout plant stalk will yield between 50 and 100 sprouts , making this an abundant craw to harvest . Brussels bourgeon typically produce in pinnacle before they get producing sprouts , with each sprout growing in its own leafage axil .
When is the best time to harvest brussels sprouts?
Brussels burgeon forth begin to grow from the bottom of the plant upward , so judge harvest season by the size of the lowest sprout . Once these arrive at about 1 inch in diam — think slightly smaller than a golf ball — it ’s time to start the harvest . Do n’t be tempted to get them produce much magnanimous , which can lead to a acid preference .
How do you harvest brussels sprouts?
Although entire stalking of brussels sprouts are oftentimes sell at husbandman ’s food market , most gardeners prefer to pick the sprout individually , since a subaltern craw may grow toward the base of the radical . The second craw of sprouts are usually loose than the first sprout but will still taste good .
How do you store brussels sprouts?
impertinently break up brussels sprout will keep for up to a week in a fictile pocketbook in the refrigerator . Do n’t wash them before storing , as the wet will make them rot quicker . Brussels sprouts emit gases , so they are one of the foods that should n’t be vacuity sealed . If you do involve to vacuum seal , first blanch and then all cool and dry the sprout before sealing .
Brussels sprouts can also be pale and frozen , and can last up to a year or more in the freezer . Some gardener willpickle Brussels sprout , giving them an even farsighted ledge life .
look for more eatable industrial plant to acquire at home ? discipline out our guide on growingcarrots , onion plant , andasparagus .
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