Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Brussels Sprouts

Bob writes~
I I was given a couple of Brussels sprouts plants but do not know what to do with them.

A. Brussels sprouts is a cool season vegetable, the best quality sprouts produced in the fall with sunny days and light frosts at night. Hot weather results in soft open sprouts which are undesirable. Jade Cross is a widely adapted hybrid variety developed for home garden use. The plants are vigorous, uniform in size and appearance, with dark green leaves and long, narrow petioles, and produce heavy yields of closely spaced, very firm, highly uniform sprouts, averaging about 1 1/2" in diameter. A soil high in organic matter to hold a lot of moisture is necessary to keep the plants growing vigorously. Irrigation is helpful. Consider an application of manure and definitely use a good cover crop. They need a sweet soil so be sure the pH is about 6.5. Even though the soil is fertile, it must receive a good application of a fertilizer which should contain some minor elements, particularly boron and magnesium. If it does not, purchase a small amount of a special minor element mixture and add to the fertilizer according to the directions on the container. Plants should be about 6 weeks old when set out. You may have to grow your own. Sow seed 6 weeks before the plants are to be set out, 24" apart in the row and have the rows 30" apart. Water when transplanting to prevent wilting. Severe shock to plants at transplanting time often causes poor plant development. Watering the plants with a starter solution is helpful. Make a starter solution by adding one cup of 5-10-10 fertilizer to 12 quarts of water. Stir and then let set 2 hours. Use one cup of this solution around the roots when a plant is set. For best development, Brussels sprouts must have a large amount of available nitrogen. Cultivate only to control weeds and then be sure that it is very shallow. Harvesting usually begins about 3 months after setting the plants. Early sprouts should be picked over several times, the lowest on the plant being taken each time; otherwise those will open out and become yellow. The first picking should not be delayed after the lower leaves begin to turn yellow as the sprouts get tough and lose their delicate flavor. In picking, the leaf below the sprout is broken off and the sprout removed by breaking away from the stalk. As the lower leaves and sprouts are removed, the plant continues to push out new leaves at the top and in the axil of each leaf, a bud or sprout is formed. Sprouts keep well in storage at 32 degrees F and high humidity for 6-8 weeks. For home use the whole plant may be stored in a cool cellar and the sprouts removed as needed. Bring the plants indoors just before severe freezing occurs.