Re: Brussel sprouts question

Taney71 4/16/2010, 6:28 pm

I have a book that explained what to do, had to go looking for it. It's Dick Raymond's Gardening Year. I found it at Goodwill a few years ago.
He says when the buds begin to form above each lateral leaf, to prune the plant. Removing excess leaves channels the plant's energy into developing sprouts. He places both hands about a 3rd of the way out on the lateral branches and presses downward with a sharp motion. The branches snap right off, forcing the plant to grow in height and sprout more buds on higher branches. He also says at some point he'll want to stop the upward growth and direct energy into swelling the sprouts. He just snips off the topmost cluster.
It has great photos of what he's talking about, hope it make sense without pics.

Wyldflower 4/16/2010, 7:07 pm

thanks! That does make sense.

Last year (my first ever garden - not SFG) I had some Brussels sprouts, and my instinct told me to prune, but I didn't have a clue how. So it's wait until a sprout appears, and prune the leaf below it.... and when the plant gets tall (I'm guessing about 24-30") then top it off.

I know it's too soon to start the pruning, and I WILL see if I can find a copy of that book, but it's good to have an idea of what will need doing.

nidiyao 4/17/2010, 6:49 am

boffer wrote:

Hey Debs,
You might be the person I've been looking for. Are you familiar with GDDs? I'd like to incorporate more into my gardening, but info is limited for backyard gardeners.

Afraid I have to show my ignorance - what is GDDs???

Also want to thank everyone for the great brussels sprouts info - I planted some this week - and now I know how to grow them!
Sandy

**camprn** 4/17/2010, 7:45 am

camprn wrote:Because I love 'em, I putting some in early, and some later. They are long
growing
see here~~> http://urbanext.illinois.edu/veggies/brusselssprouts1.html#3

Edit: this plant not from my garden, I simply posted it as an example of BS growth. Wish it was in my garden! flower

boffer 4/17/2010, 9:54 am

nidiyao wrote:

what is GDDs???

I posted an answer to your question here:

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/outside-the-box-f40/what-are-gdd-s-t1440.htm

**camprn** 4/17/2010, 10:29 am

boffer wrote:
nidiyao wrote:

what is GDDs???

I posted an answer to your question here:

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/outside-the-box-f40/what-are-gdd-s-t1440.htm

Thanks Boffer!!!

auntij 5/4/2010, 12:45 am

This question may be slightly off this specific topic line but it is about brussels. Can I plant anything quick growing within the same square as a BS while waiting for it to mature? I have 9 Brussel sprout plants and didn't know if I could you the extra room around them for lettuce or radishes etc.

Saartje 5/4/2010, 8:44 am

I live just near Brussels, in Vossem. I know what a plant looks like, but it's so weird it's hard to describe! Imagine a small green cabbage on a very long and sturdy stem, and on that fat stem the sprouts, well, sprout. It's typically a winter vegetables, it thrives in cold weather, but I haven't a clue when you should sow it, sorry.

Taney71 5/4/2010, 9:05 am

auntij wrote:This question may be slightly off this specific topic line but it is about brussels. Can I plant anything quick growing within the same square as a BS while waiting for it to mature? I have 9 Brussel sprout plants and didn't know if I could you the extra room around them for lettuce or radishes etc.

I've already harvested both radishes and lettuce that was grown under the Brussels Sprouts. There was pleanty of room for both.

Judge Kemp 5/5/2010, 1:56 am

'm in zone 5a and just put in Brussel Sprouts (1) in a square today. I'm in 5a, Central Iowa. Do you think I was too late with it? Last frost date (adsolute 90% last frost date) was two days ago.

Love the idea of putting in lettuce around the Brussel. I need to get a staggered set of lettuce in, as my others have been in 2-3 weeks now (still tiny Brussel sprouts question - Page 2 Icon_mad

).

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Brussel sprouts question