NOTE: With most cole crops like broccoli, brussel sprouts, and cabbage some leaves will inevitably turn yellow for a number of reasons. These unhealthy leaves should be pinched back as far as possible to the stalk and discarded or thrown into the compost pile. Insects and pests like sowbugs, snails, and cabbage worms are creatures of opportunity. They can sense weakness in plants and are drawn to them. Good hygiene is important in the garden and goes a long way towards preventing insects and disease.

Brussels Sprouts (90-100 days)

People either love or hate Brussels Sprouts. Their flavor belies the nutritient value. The web will has lots of interesting and flavorful recipes.

In much of Texas growing Brussels Sprouts can be a pretty iffy proposition. The old standard variety Long Island takes 100 days from seed and newer hybrids, like Jade Cross take 90 days. Both are highly recommended. Buy plants as soon as they are available. They will stand a light freeze. In Southern states April can be unseasonably warm and the plants often bolt to seed without producing, a chance you have to take. We have observed instances where the plants did not produce in the spring, managed to survive the summer, then produce in the fall. They make a great fall crop in warmer states if plants are started in late August and planted in early October. Unless there is unseasonable cold (always possible) they can produce well into the winter.

The growth habit of Brussels Sprouts is unusual. The small cabbage-like heads form on the stalks. Just to see this makes growing them worthwhile.

Treat the plants the same as you would broccoli. The application of Nature's Guide Root Stimulator at planting helps them get started. Mulch well with your compost, Nature's Guide Organic Compost, Nature's Guide Cotton Burr Compost, or Nature's Guide Mushroom Compost. This insulates the root systems from winter cold and hot weather. Drench the plants weekly beginning in March with Nature's Guide Liquid Seaweed mixed with water. The bio-stimulant effect of seaweed gives them a better chance of production in warmer weather.

Brussel Sprout Seed