#6. Brussels Sprouts Grower's Guide
Brussels sprouts belong to the cabbage family and have the same growing requirements. If you would like to grow Brussels sprouts - and they are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals - you need to be prepared to have patience. The plants require a long growing period and need time to mature. This needs to be factored into your gardening planning. A tip worth remembering; harvesting the vegetable after you've had frost enhances the flavor considerably.
The following guidelines will help you get started growing your own Brussels sprouts.
Early spring is the time to get the preparations started. Select and rake the bed to level the area. The frost generally helps in breaking down the clods. Cover the bed with mature compost. The soil should be dry rather than sticky wet. Press the compost into the soil – the back of a rake should do. Then rake the bed over lightly.
Mark the rows that you will plant in. You can get straight rows by using the simple method of string tied to two stakes. Drill the rows with your trowel to half foot in depth. Space rows out with approximately six inches between two rows.
Sow your seeds thinly into the furrows and cover with the soil. You can firm the soil down, but lightly, with the rake head. Using a fine spray, keep the seed bed moist.
When the seedlings start to sprout, you will need to thin out, because overcrowding will give you weak plants. Do this when the plants are about an inch in height and set them about three inches apart.
At 4 to 6 inches height, the seedlings will be ready to plant out. Make sure to water the bed the previous day so you can remove them without doing any damage to the plants.
Brussels sprouts will thrive in cool climate, it helps them grow better. The plants can tolerate some frost, but don't fare well in very cold or hot temperatures.
Brussels sprouts need rich, fertile soil – dig deep in rich humus to give the plants the nourishment they need. Make sure the plants get full sun and the soil has good drainage. Soggy soil and sprouts do not go together well. Soil with a pH value of 6.0 to 7.5 is ideal for the plants.
Harvesting runs from late summer to spring. Sprouts need to be picked when they are large enough to use. Begin picking from the bottom up and remove lower leaves to facilitate growth of the buds on the top.