Brussels sprouts is a member of the cabbage family packed with many nutritious benefits and can be said to be one of the easiest plants to grow.
The best time to grow the brussel sprout is in the cold season this is because they strive better during this period. The brussel sprouts can be harvested 80 – 100 days after planting.
If you have to grow them during summer, then ensure that you keep them well shaded and watered at the right time in appropriate measures. You will be glad when they are ready for harvest.
You can plant your brussels sprouts indoors or directly in a garden. Growing the brussel sprouts seeds directly in the garden might take about two to three weeks to reach maturity.
However, you can also begin planting indoors then transplant to the garden if you want your brussels sprouts seeds to grow quickly, sometimes 20 days earlier than when it is directly planted in the garden.
When to Plant Brussel Sprout Seeds
Brussels sprout seeds are best planted four months before the next frost. What this means is that, to be able to determine the best time to plant the brussel seeds then, you may have to count backwards for the date of the next fall.
In cold areas, you can start planting seeds in early to mid-summer so that your brussel sprouts can mature for an early winter harvest.
However, if the weather in your area is warm and the winter is mild then you may want to start planting the brussel seeds in mid to late summer, the seeds should be ready for harvest in mid to late winter.
Brussels sprout plants usually reach heights of 2 to 3 feet, so you may be required to stake the plant as raised beds are the best for plants that grow in cool season.
Ensure that the soil is well rich in manure a few days before you begin to plant or transplant as the case may be.
How to Plant and Grow Brussels Sprouts
To plant your brussel seed give some space of about 2 to 3 inches apart, so that they can have enough room to grow. Prepare a well-drained garden bed in an area with 6 hours or more of sunlight per day. Use a shovel or hoe to pour compost and fertilizer into the top 8 inches of soil.
Plant the Brussels sprouts seeds 2-3 seeds in a cell on the prepared garden bed. The plants should be about 12 to 24 inches apart when they are six inches tall.
The soil around your plant should not be disturbed because the roots are not deep and may be damaged if utmost care is not observed. Ensure to keep the plant moist if you are growing the vessel sprout in the hot season.
If you notice yellow leaves at the bottom of your plant, remove it immediately so as to allow room for healthy plants to grow. To encourage the brussel sprout to mature faster, cut off the top leaves three to four weeks before harvest.
Read also: 21 Best Vegetables That Can Be Grown In Full Shade
How to Harvest Brussels Sprouts
The brussel sprouts mature upward from the bottom of the stem. When the diameter of the bud reaches about one inch, harvest the bud from the bottom. If necessary, after moderate frost, pull out the entire stem, root, etc.
Then hang the stem upside down in a cool and dry basement or garage or barn. Store the stems without roots in the root basement for about one month.
Read also: 12 Best Vegetables That Can Be Grown In Clay Soil
In Conclusion
Brussels sprouts are a slow-growing vegetable that takes 26 to 31 weeks to mature.The plant requires temperatures of about 40 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and can tolerate temperatures as low as twenty degrees.
The growth period is between 80 to 110 days. Remember, you are not meant to wash the bean sprouts before storing them, this is because washing them will reduce their shell life.
Wash the bean sprouts only before use. In addition, put the freshly picked bean sprouts in a plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
References
- ResearchGate “Scientific Cultivation of Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea L. var. gemmifera)” retrieved from here
- Cambridge Core “Effects of sowing date, plant density and year on growth and yield of Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. bullata subvar. gemmifera)” retrieved from here
- ResearchGate “BRUSSELS SPROUTS: ORIGIN AND PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY” retrieved from here
