When to plant brussel sprouts
I am confused about when to plant brussell sprout seeds in my garden. This will be my first time growing them and I am not sure how to time them properly. It seems to be recommended to harvest them after frost as it makes them taste better so how long do they take to be ready to harvest roughly. Clearly I should not plant them until later but what is recommended? I'm in PA zone 6.
Posted
by: Karen Miller
(2 points)
Posted: May 20, 2013
Answers
Brussels sprouts do take a long time to mature (85-100 days after setting transplants, depending on variety). I'd sow seed immediately (or buy transplants). Plant or thin to at least 18 inches apart in the row or bed. Cover them with row covers until the plants are at least 6 to 8 inches tall to keep flea beetles and cabbage butterflies away until your plants are able to thrive despite ongoing minor damage from these pests.
Pretty soon you'll see delicate, white moths fluttering around your plants. Monitor carefully for their caterpillars ("cabbageworms")--the worst insect pest; hard to see when the caterpillars are small, since they mimic the color the the leaves they've been eating. The botanical pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) works well for cabbageworm infestations. It kills only caterpillars, and won't harm bees and other beneficials (or humans).
Yes, your sprouts will improve in flavor after a freeze or two. But most varieties will hold a long time in the garden as mature sprouts. Also you could harvest some and toss them into the freezer for a few minutes before cooking to achieve similar results.
Pretty soon you'll see delicate, white moths fluttering around your plants. Monitor carefully for their caterpillars ("cabbageworms")--the worst insect pest; hard to see when the caterpillars are small, since they mimic the color the the leaves they've been eating. The botanical pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) works well for cabbageworm infestations. It kills only caterpillars, and won't harm bees and other beneficials (or humans).
Yes, your sprouts will improve in flavor after a freeze or two. But most varieties will hold a long time in the garden as mature sprouts. Also you could harvest some and toss them into the freezer for a few minutes before cooking to achieve similar results.
Posted
by: Peg Boyles
(4 points)
Posted: May 21, 2013
Penn State has a great link on vegetable gardening in Pennsylvania http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs... - but I didn't understand whether brussel sprouts were considered an early or late brassica. I'm sure one of the "residents" of the Plant Village can give you that information!
Posted
by: Susan League, UF/IFAS Sumter Program Assistant
(1 point)
Posted: May 21, 2013
Brussel sprouts are a hardy long season vegetable which can be grown successfully in many parts of the US. The plants grow best in cooler weather and should be transplanted to the garden in late spring to early summer for a fall harvest or in mid fall for a winter harvest. The aim is to avoid a situation where sprouts are maturing during warm weather as this will lead to poorly formed, loose sprouts with a bitter taste.
Transplant should be started 5-6 weeks before the last frost date and should be in the ground by early June in PA. If you can find young plants anywhere then you can plant them out now. The plants will grow all summer and be ready to harvest in the fall. Harvest them after a light frost or two for best results. If aiming for a winter harvest, plant transplants out when the temperature begins to drop below 26C/80F.
Brussel sprout plants require full sun for best results and should be planted in a fertile soil and provided with deep irrigation when needed. Try to incorporate plenty composted organic matter into the soil and a complete fertilizer before you plant.
Sprouts are ready to harvest when they are approx 1-2 inches in diameter. For a fairly uniform size and one time harvest, pinch the top of the plants when the lower sprouts are about 0.75 inches in diameter and allow to mature.
Transplant should be started 5-6 weeks before the last frost date and should be in the ground by early June in PA. If you can find young plants anywhere then you can plant them out now. The plants will grow all summer and be ready to harvest in the fall. Harvest them after a light frost or two for best results. If aiming for a winter harvest, plant transplants out when the temperature begins to drop below 26C/80F.
Brussel sprout plants require full sun for best results and should be planted in a fertile soil and provided with deep irrigation when needed. Try to incorporate plenty composted organic matter into the soil and a complete fertilizer before you plant.
Sprouts are ready to harvest when they are approx 1-2 inches in diameter. For a fairly uniform size and one time harvest, pinch the top of the plants when the lower sprouts are about 0.75 inches in diameter and allow to mature.
Sprouts are ready to harvest when they are 1-2 in in diameter
Posted
by: Lindsay McMenemy
(9 points)
Posted: May 22, 2013
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