Brussels Sprouts

Ah, brussels sprouts. Love them or hate them, these little green cabbages are a staple of the winter garden and a nutritional powerhouse! If you're keen to grow your own, you're in for a treat. They might need a bit of patience, but the reward of fresh, homegrown sprouts is well worth the effort. Let’s dive into how to get the best from these fascinating, cold weather crops.

TL;DR: Brussels Sprouts - The Patient Gardener's Delight

Brussels sprouts are a long-game veggie, started indoors in spring (Mar-May), planted out late May-June, and harvested from late autumn to early spring. They need a sunny spot, firm soil, support to avoid wind damage, and regular watering. Pinch off the tips in mid-August to encourage those sprouts to swell! Harvest from the bottom up when the sprouts are firm and closed.

The Lowdown on Growing Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts aren't your average quick-grow garden vegetable. They need a good 30 weeks from sowing to harvest, which is why they're usually started indoors and transplanted out. These are definitely a great vegetable for your vegetable garden, especially if you love the satisfaction of a long growing period!

Getting Started: Sowing and Planting

• When to Sow: Begin indoors between March and May. If you’re after an early crop, start sowing in March. For a later harvest, May is your target month.
• How to Sow: Sow a couple of seeds per module or small pot, then thin to one seedling. Once they're about 15cm tall, and you've hardened them off for about a week, they're ready for the garden.
• Where to Plant: Find a sunny, sheltered spot with firm, well-drained soil. Dig in a modest amount of well-rotted compost - don't overdo it with the manure, or you'll end up with loads of leaves and smaller sprouts. If your soil's acidic, add some lime.
• Planting Out: Space them 60-75cm apart, burying some of the stem for extra support. Don’t forget to water them well after transplanting.

Caring for Your Sprouts: The Nitty-Gritty

• Support: Brussels sprouts are notorious for being blown over in strong winds. Stake them, or earth up around the stems to give them the support they need. Keep a regular eye on them, they may need extra support as they get taller.
• Watering: Keep the water coming, especially during dry spells.
• Feeding: Give them a general fertiliser during the summer months.
• Pinching Out: Here’s a tip – in mid-August, pinch out the growing tips. This directs the plant's energy into sprout development.
• Yellow Leaves: Remove any yellowing leaves, they are no use to the plant.

Harvesting: The Best Part!

Harvesting begins from the bottom of the plant upwards. The sprouts should be firm and tightly closed. Pick them regularly to encourage more to grow, or you can harvest the whole plant if you prefer. Start checking them out from late Autumn, and you may still have a harvest well into the new year.

Brussels Sprouts Varieties: A Rainbow of Choices

There are loads of different brussels sprouts varieties out there to try. By growing a few different ones, you can extend your harvest through the autumn and winter. Here are some favourites:

• 'Brodie': A classic variety, ready from October to December.
• 'Evesham Special': A taller option for harvesting from September to January.
• 'Trafalgar': A reliable mid-height variety, offering good sprouts from early November to February.
• 'Red Rubine': A visually stunning red-leaved variety, ready from October onwards.
• 'Crispus': A compact variety, best from November onwards, ideal for smaller spaces.

Pests and Diseases: What to Look Out For

Keep an eye out for common pests like cabbage whitefly, cabbage root fly, pigeons, and aphids. Be aware of diseases like club root and downy mildew too. Organic pest control methods are your best bet for keeping things healthy in the garden.

So, there you have it. Growing Brussels sprouts takes a bit of planning and patience, but it’s a wonderfully rewarding process that’ll add some much-needed homegrown goodness to your plate during the colder months. Happy growing!