Brussels Sprouts: How to Grow and Care For This Popular vegetable Plant

Brussels Sprouts

Brussel Sprouts are normally a fall crop in the south and south eastern areas of the U.S. This is because they are a long growing crop and some people say they are better when they have had a slight frost hit them. Originally from Belgium they were named for Brussels and have been grown there since around 1200.

The vegetable is often called wild cabbage. This is due to their look which is like a miniature cabbage. The plant from which the Brussels sprouts grow looks similar to a palm. The most common is green variety but there are red ones as well.

Normally started from seeds indoors they may be transplanted when the frost for the season is over. However, if you live in a warmer (not hot) area of the country, fall is the time for planting. They do not do well in hot weather.

How to Plant Brussels Sprouts

The vegetables like to be in firm soil as long as it is not packed. They should be planted about 2 feet apart. Space the rows about 3 feet apart and feed them a couple of times.

The first time should be when they are about a foot tall and about 30 days before you plan to pick them. If you use a granular type of fertilizer that releases nutrients into the soil slowly, this should suffice for their growing season.

Harvesting the vegetable

Leaf joints are where the sprouts grow. They grow from the bottom up so as soon as the ones on the bottom are about the size of a large marble you can begin to pick them.

If you leave them too long they will become bitter. Although some people cut them from the stalk, it is easier to pinch them off if you take the leave underneath off first.

In addition to the sprouts, the leaves can be removed and cooked as they are edible as well. Some people like to harvest into the cold season so they cover the plants with straw.

The whole plant can be pulled up as well and put in a pot and kept in a root cellar. The plants with bare roots will keep producing for about 3 weeks.

Pests

The pests that infect Brussels sprouts are the same ones that will cause problems for your broccoli and cabbage plants. The cabbage worm, aphids and cabbage looper are problems that can be dealt with.

Check out the dusts that you can use on the plants. Since they are a late growing crop, there is a good period of time before the vegetable begins to grow. This gives you plenty of time to rid your plants of the pests.

Varieties

There are many varieties to chooses from. They all take about the same amount of time to develop. This is from 85 to 95 days. Here are a few of the different types.

* Jade Cross* Royal Marvel* Bubbles* Oliver* Long Island Improved* Rubine

If you like Brussels sprouts and plan on planting some, keep in mind that since they are a long growing plant, you will have to wait awhile for a harvest.

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