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Brussels Sprouts
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Brussels
Sprouts are a cool season biennial in the Brassicaceae
family, sharing species name Brassica
oleracea with cauliflower,
cabbage, collards, kale, broccoli, and
kohlrabi.
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Position
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Full sun.
Light shade is tolerated but will slow maturity.
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Soil and Nutrient
Requirements
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Brussels
sprouts love a rich well drained loam. They are heavy feeders; side dress
when plants are 12” tall.
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Seeding Depth
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¼-1/2”
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Seeding Rate
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3
seeds/18”
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Plant Spacing
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18-24”
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Row Spacing
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30-36”
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When to Sow
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Direct
seed as soon as ground can be worked or start transplants indoors 4-6 weeks
before planting date.
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Frost Tolerant
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Yes.
Brussels Sprouts develop their best flavor and sweetness only after a few
frosts.
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Drought Tolerant
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No. Mulch
to keep plants moist and cool in summer heat.
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Heat Tolerant
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No.
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Seed Specs
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80-150M
seeds/lb (112M avg.). M=1,000
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Seed Coating /
Pelleting Info
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Some of
the varieties we carry receive an organic film coating applied to the seed,
which make the seed easier to see during planting.
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Harvest
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Sprout
formation will begin at the base of the stalk; to encourage development of
the upper sprouts for uniform maturity, pinch out the growing tip of the
plant in late summer when bottom sprout is as big as an average thumb. Or,
harvest sprouts individually from the bottom of the stalk when they are about
1-1.5” in diameter. Fall planted Brussels sprouts will become sweeter after a
few light frosts.
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Storage
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Store at
just above freezing, 95% humidity for 3-5 weeks, or keep in freezer.
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Pest Info
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- Cabbage looper, imported
cabbage worm, and diamondback moth are of the Lepidoptera order and can thus be controlled by Bacillus thuringiensis (such as
Dipel DF, see Supplies) and/or spinosad (such as Entrust™),
preferentially in rotation with one another to prevent selection of
resistant individuals (check with your certifier before applying).
- Protect plants from flea
beetles by using floating row covers in the early season.
- Root maggots can be
controlled by applying beneficial nematodes.
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Disease Info
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- Black rot (Xanthomonas campestris pv.
campestris) first appears as V-shaped, yellow lesions at leaf
margin. Infected plants should be pulled up immediately, and plantings
should never be worked during wet conditions.
- Fusarium yellows, caused by
the bacteria Fusarium oxysporum
f. sp. conglutinan, manifests
as yellowing of the lower leaves 2-4 weeks after transplanting.
Yellowing moves to upper leaves and ultimately causes wilt.
- Fungal diseases can be
prevented by spraying with copper hydroxide (such as Champion WP™and/or
oxidate (such as Storox™), but are best prevented by production
practices that build soil and promote vigorous plant growth.
- Clubroot is a soil borne
disease which stunts the roots of the plants so that they are not able
to develop normally. Rotate crops and add lime to raise soil pH to 7.2.
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Seed Saving
Instructions
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An insect
pollinated biennial, Brussels sprouts will cross with all members of Brassica
oleracea. Isolation distances of ½ mile are necessary for purity, unless
alternate day caging is used. In northern areas, it is difficult to keep
plants overwinter for their second, seedbearing year. Seedpods must reach
maturity on the mother plant. When pods are dry and brown, they can be
harvested and broken open. Black rot, black leg and black leaf spot are
seedborne diseases. Hot water treatment can reduce transmission.
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