Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
BRUSSELS SPROUTS
Brassica oleracea convar. fruticosa var. gemmifera
For Brussels sprouts, the highly developed axillary buds are used as a vegetable. These buds look like
tiny heads of cabbage and are made up of many densely layered leaves.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
• 10 to 15 healthy plants
• insect netting (or absence of cabbage pests)
• trellis or one support pole per flowering plant
GROWING FOR SEED When growing for seed, sow Brussels sprouts in early summer. Plants grow to
be 24-32 in. (60-80 cm) tall the first year. In the second year, the stalk can grow to be up to 60 in.
(150 cm) tall. Brussels sprouts are hardier than head cabbage and can take temperatures as low as
about 14°F (−10°C). The upper and lower third of the stalk on plants being grown for seed can be har-
vested for Brussels sprouts; do not harvest sprouts from the middle third when growing for seed. Once
the plant has been planted out again in the second year and its roots have re-established themselves,
the end of the main stalk can be pruned to encourage earlier flowering.
The “fruit” of Brussels sprouts is the small, compact axillary bud.
Plants of Brussels sprouts can be overwintered outdoors in areas with no killing frosts.
SELECTION CHARACTERISTICS
• uniform sprout development along the entire stalk
• shape, color, and firmness of sprouts
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