Brussels Sprouts in the PNW

Lavender Debs 3/6/2010, 11:09 am

(brought over from "Hello from Middle Tennessee)

Before I share I want to make sure you know, I'm NOT a master gardener and this is my FIRST year with SFG.

Most of my information comes from Steve Solomon, "Growing Organic Vegetables West of the Cascades" and Geoff Hamilton's "The Ornamental Kitchen Garden" I do not see anything about Brussels sprouts in the “All New SFG” handbook.

My #1 problem with Brussels sprouts is aphids, followed by club root. A hard stream of water works for aphids (I am picturing the admin’s avatar….replace the gun with a super soaker water cannon)

Steve Solomon gave some great advice. Start seedlings June 1 in 4” pots. When the peas are finished in July, add compost the soil, work in ¼ cup complete organic fertilizer (vegan pre mix is similar to the recipe Steve gives in his book) and set sprouts 24” apart.

I realize that there is no fertilizer in SFG, so that part is up to you. Leave the pea support in place, as the Brussels get taller (Why don’t I want to call them BS when I abbreviate everything else?) you may want to support them.

I do not want my first harvest until October-November. Start at the bottom of the shaft. Cut or snap off the lower sprouts as needed. Brussels need a freeze to be sweet. I put mine in my winter garden and can have fresh sprouts through January or later.

Steve also writes that commercial growers pinch off the top of the plant a few weeks before harvest. This apparently encourages the sprouts to fatten up. He also writes that he leaves the leaves ON the stalk (usually I read that they should be cut off) for winter protection.

Here is the bonus. . . .the sprouts that you leave on the stalk will transform into broccoli like buds in March-April that can be harvested and eaten. Brussels are like the giving tree that no one likes.

Deborah ...growing purple Rubin this year.

boffer 3/6/2010, 11:35 am

"Here is the bonus. . . .the
sprouts that you leave on the stalk will transform into broccoli like
buds in March-April that can be harvested and eaten. Brussels are like
the giving tree that no one likes"

I had no idea sprouts would start growing in the spring like carrots do. Several times recently I've been moments away from digging up last years plants.

Hooray for procrastination, I'll have BS to eat soon.

There's something wrong with that sentence, isn't there?

Lavender Debs 3/6/2010, 11:51 am

I don't have any BS this spring (puppy love last summer ...and yes there is something wrong with that statement <wicked grin>).

Since there wasn't a freeze (until this AM!) I'll be waiting to hear how yours sprout this spring.

Deborah ...who misses her winter garden

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Brussels Sprouts in the PNW

Brussels Sprouts in the PNW

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Re: Brussels Sprouts in the PNW


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