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GROWING BRUSSEL SPROUTS

Growing Brussel sprouts will provide a good crop of about 20 to 40 buds on the stem of each plant, 2-3 ft tall. They are frost resistant and can tolerate temperatures as low as 20 degrees F.
brussel sprouts Growing Brussel Sprouts successfully in the home garden can be somewhat of a challenge as they require a cool temperature, well fertilized soil and consistent moisture when the buds are developing.
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Firm, fertile soil is essential for a tightly packed vegetable, if you have infertile, loose soil you will have loose buttons. It should also be fairly heavy, moisture retaining and well draining. A pH of 6.5 to 7.0 is ideal for growing brussel sprouts and to eliminate the guesswork you can invest in a pH meter or Soil Test Kit.

If your soil is poor, dig in plenty of well rotted compost or manure as early in the autumn as possible in order to give the soil maximum time to settle. Then, come springtime, about 3 weeks before sowing apply a dressing of fertilizer and rake it over the surface, remember, don’t dig it in, you need a firm bed when growing brussel sprouts to get those firm buttons.

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When choosing a spot for growing brussel sprouts follow the crop rotation system and avoid planting where crops of the brassica family have been grown in the previous 3-4 years, (cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, etc.).
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When growing brussel sprouts you can start them off in seed flats inside or in a prepared, very fertile outdoor seed bed before transplanting into their permanent beds later.

Use a couple of stakes with string attached stretched to give you a straight line, using the string as a guide make shallow drills with your rake about ½ inch deep and the rows 6inches apart, sow the seed thinly into the drills then push the soil back over them, lightly tamping down the soil with the head of your rake. Peg your seed packet at the end of the row with the date on so you know when and what you have in the garden. Use a fine mist sprayer to keep the bed moist, do not let it dry out.
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When the seedlings are about 1inch tall, to promote strong growth you should thin them out to 3inch apart. Wait till the remaining seedlings are about 6inches high, and give them a good watering, if needed, a few hours before you put them into their permanent home. Read the instructions on the back of seed packets which advise on variety and sowing times and time to maturity.

Now, if you’re short on space try growing brussel sprouts from seed in a tray filled with seed compost bought from your local gardening centre. Water thoroughly, and place them somewhere sheltered, if you have a greenhouse all well and good, also a cold frame or a cloche will serve the same purpose. Wait till the first two leaves have formed then put into 3″ pots filled with potting compost, to come just below the two leaves. When they are about 6 inches high plant out, preferably in the evening to reduce stress.

If you’re looking to harvest in October or November time sow early varieties outdoors in mid March, transplanting towards the end of May. If you want to harvest in September sow your seeds under cloches early March to plant out early May.

Late varieties can be sown outdoors in April and transplanted in June to give you a crop from December up till March.

Removing the growing tips about a month before the harvesting date will result in greater yields as the plant will divert energy from leaf growth into growing Brussel sprouts. Be careful when removing or hoeing weeds so as not to disturb the shallow root system and ensure the soil does not become loosened.

This is just a guide, be sure to follow instructions on the packet and remember, when growing Brussel sprouts, that they do like a cooler climate.

Check out the other vegetables which will grow well in your garden.