Eat Your Brussels Sprouts
Eat your Brussels sprouts! These nutritious, flavor packed vegetables have been vilified in children's books and on TV. BUT these miniature cabbage looking vegetables are extremely tasty if eaten freshly picked. And the best way to get them freshest is by growing Brussels sprouts in your garden. The basic way to grow Brussels Spouts is much like how your would grow cabbage or kale. Brussels Sprouts are a cole crop. "Cole" refers to any of the various plants belonging to the Cruciferae or mustard family. Some of these plants include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards and kale. Brussels sprouts, like these other vegetables grow better in cool temperatures. Because Brussels sprouts take so long to mature, your best bet is to plant them in midsummer so that they can reach full maturity in the cool fall months. Plant to put them in your garden about 3 months before the first frost in your area. It is also better to grow Brussels sprouts from transplants rather than from seeds planted straight into the garden. This will allow the seedlings to develop in a cooler shaded environment and will have a better chance of surviving the warmer weather outside. Plant your Brussels sprouts about 36 inches apart in nitrogen rich soil. Growing Brussels sprouts need plenty of nutrients and water. Never let your Brussels sprout bed become too dry as this will stress the plants and result in a poor harvest.
