Brussels Sprouts
Another relative of the cabbage, this vegetable is a cool-weather crop
that does best planted midsummer for early fall ripening.
-Planting: Plant the seedlings 18-25 inches from each other in rows about
30 inches apart. Cutworm collars like the ones used with broccoli are
recommended.
-Growing: Brussels sprouts are heavy feeders and will benefit from a
dressing of manure or fertilizer every two weeks. When the sprouts begin
to grow at leaf axles, the lower leaves must be broken off. This will
allow the small cabbage-like sprouts to continue growing up the stem. Due
to their susceptibility to cabbage worms, these plants should be sprayed
weekly with Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria to deter them. Don't worry
about frost, these plants will not be harmed.
-Harvesting: The best sprouts are only about one inch in diameter. A
sharp knife should be used to cut off the sprouts, always leaving enough
trunk so new sprouts can grow.
Back