Tips and tricks on growing Brussel Sprouts in the Coastal Bend this fall
Brussels sprouts don’t grow in the wild, because they were invented by humans, and this unique vegetable is getting better with time.
Brussels sprouts, like other vegetables in the Brassica family, were bred from an ancient sea kale native to the coasts of Great Britain. After the Romans invaded Britannia in the 1st century BC, they imported wild sea kale back to Italy for cultivation. Viking marauders also carried wild sea kale to Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean in the 9th and 10th centuries AD.
The farmers of Europe spent the following centuries selectively breeding changes into the original plant. The leaves of sea kale were bred into cabbages, collards and modern kale. The stem was swollen into kohlrabi; the flowers were modified by the Italians into broccoli; and the buds of sea kale were enlarged by the Dutch into our modern Brussels sprouts.
All of these newly created vegetables eventually found their way to America. Brussels sprouts, however — which were a staple of the Netherlands for centuries — never gained as much popularity in the United States, as they were the most bitter of all the Brassicas.
Brussels sprouts were evolved from ancient sea kale through the ingenuity of skillful farmers. Today, the best ones of all still come from your own garden.
Growing Up
Spacing, 15”. Height, 18” to 36”. It’s a cool weather vegetable. Plant from transplant in October for December harvest. Plant in rich, well-drained soil. Add two to three inches of compost to soil when planting. Mix two cups native wood ash into compost. Add four cups pastured poultry manure when planting, then another four cups side-dressed when first small sprouts appear on the stem. Keep soil moist.Best varieties: Jade Cross; Long Island Improved.
Profiling
Brussels sprouts grow from a single thick stem with a canopy of green leaves at the top. As the plant matures, the sprouts grow in rings from the bottom of the stem to the top. Harvest the sprouts when they are slightly larger than marbles. New sprouts will continue to appear up the stem until exposed to warm weather. Harvest sprouts quickly or they will become tough. Also harvest the leaves prior to discarding plant.
Recs
Season Brussels sprouts with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil before roasting for 40 minutes at 400F. Even better, add some torn bacon and brown sugar to the mix for a sweet and savory version. Shaved Brussels sprouts come together to make a quick and easy slaw with chopped nuts, dried cranberries and a little Mayo with a dash of vinegar.
Fun Facts
Brussels sprouts have always been the most bitter of all the Brassicas. Then, in the 1990s, a scientist named Hans van Doorn identified the chemical compounds in Brussels sprouts that cause the bitter taste, and worked with seed companies to breed these bitter compounds out of modern Brussels sprouts. Thanks to his work, modern Brussels sprouts are mild, delicious and rising in popularity in European and American kitchens.
FAQs
Brussels sprouts are cool season vegetables that prefer a sunny location and fertile, well-drained soil. Incorporate plenty of organic matter and a complete fertilizer into the area before planting. Plant seeds ¼-½ inch deep.
What month do you plant Brussels sprouts? ›
If you do choose to grow from seed, direct-sow into the garden in mid to late summer for a fall harvest. Plant seedlings in the garden 6-10 weeks before the first expected frost. In zones 9-10, sow seeds or plant transplants October through December.
What not to plant next to brussel sprouts? ›
What Not To Plant With Vegetables
| Vegetable | Bad Companion Plants |
|---|
| Broadbeans | Fennel, soybeans and dry beans |
| Brocolli and Calabrese | Peppers, beans, strawberries |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mustards, nightshades |
| Cabbage | Grapes |
27 more rowsAim for a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, but try not to go overboard. Too much nitrogen will result in a lot of leafy growth and not enough sprouts developing along the stem. A 10-20-10 or 13-13-13 will work. For organic options with lower NPK, go for a 5-5-5 or a 5-7-5 and apply about every two weeks.
Can you grow Brussels sprouts in a 5 gallon bucket? ›
A single plant needs at least a 12-inch wide and 12-inch deep container with several drainage holes. A 5-gallon container, like a paint bucket, holds two plants. Fill the containers with well-draining potting mix and keep it moist. Move the containers to sunny areas as needed.
How many Brussels sprouts do you get from one plant? ›
As the leaves begin to turn a little yellow, break them off, leaving about a 2-inch stalk. This will give the sprouts more room to develop. Harvest brussels sprouts when the heads are firm and 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Each plant yields between 60 and 100 sprouts.
Do brussel sprout plants come back year after year? ›
Many Brussels sprouts varieties take about 90-100 days to grow until they are ready to harvest. Do Brussels sprouts grow back every year? Brussels sprouts are biennial, but treated as annuals; they go through two seasons before completing their life cycle.
Do brussel sprouts need a trellis? ›
Brussels sprouts also require staking to prevent the tall, top-heavy stalks from tipping over. Because Brussels sprouts take such a long time to mature, cold-climate gardeners almost always start out with transplants rather than seeds.
What is a good companion plant for brussel sprouts? ›
Onions and Garlic:
These pungent alliums are great companions for Brussels sprouts. Garlic and onions have strong scents are effective in deterring common pests like aphids and some beetles. Plus, they occupy a different space in the garden bed, ensuring efficient use of space.
Are coffee grounds good for brussel sprout plants? ›
I never thought a plant that made a vegetable so disliked could look so beautiful. So do brussel sprouts like coffee grounds? You Bet they do!
Brussels sprouts need protection from pests such as cabbage butterflies and pigeons, so are best covered with fine-mesh netting. Water whenever the soil starts to dry out and support taller plants with canes.
What is the secret to growing brussel sprouts? ›
Like most vegetables, Brussels sprouts need a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight daily; more is better. They like fertile, well-drained, moist soils with plenty of organic matter.
Should you remove lower leaves on Brussels sprout plants? ›
Some growers remove all leaves to accelerate harvest, but that practice is not essential in the home garden, and not practical for us on the farm. Some believe that the sprouts develop better if the lowermost six to eight leaves are removed from the sides of the stalk as the sprouts develop.
How do you prepare soil for brussel sprouts? ›
Brussels sprouts do best in moist but well-drained, fertile soil, ideally which has been enhanced with well-rotted manure or compost. Grow in full sun for best results.
Why are my brussel sprouts not forming sprouts? ›
The usual cause is poor soil, lack of growth and especially the use of non-hybrid cultivars. Only hybrid cultivars can be relied on to produce firm sprouts. Excessive nitrogen fertiliser is not implicated in loose sprout formation.
What conditions are best for growing Brussels sprouts? ›
Brussels sprouts like a sunny location with fertile, well-drained, firm soil. They form quite tall plants, so choose a sheltered spot, where they won't be buffeted by strong winds. If your soil is very acidic, apply lime to raise the pH to at least 6.5.
Why are my brussel sprouts growing so slow? ›
Growing Brussels sprouts requires cool weather. They are a slow-growing, long-bearing crop that grows best in cooler regions, or in early spring or fall. Growing Brussels sprouts requires cool weather.
