Brussels sprouts do not grow in the wild; they were bred artificially in Belgium. In our country, this storehouse of vitamins was recognized and loved in the mid-19th century.

Brussels sprouts cannot be confused with other types of cabbage. This plant is up to 100 centimeters or more in height with medium-sized leaves on long stems. Heads of different shades form in the axils of deciduous cuttings. There are 30-70 of them tied on one stem. In the second year, instead of fruits, flowering shoots appear on the plant, which, due to cross-pollination, form seeds. The germination of these seeds is maintained for 5 years.

A wide variety of varieties pleases lovers of this type of cabbage.

When choosing a variety to plant on your site, it is important to take into account three properties of the crop:

1. Maturation. Cabbage varieties have different ripening periods: the maximum is more than 170 days, the minimum is 120.
2. Productivity. Maybe different quantities fruits On average, there are 50 heads per plant, but some produce up to 70.
3. Availability of useful substances. Modern breeding developments offer hybrids with a high content of protein, folic acid, vitamins, minerals, and carotene.

There are different types of Brussels sprouts:

• Varietal - the variety has stable characteristics that are passed on to the next generation when propagated by seeds. They are characterized by large heads of cabbage with excellent taste and long ripening time.
• Hybrid - its bred characteristics are best manifested in the first generation. The height of the plant is slightly shorter, and the number of fruits is larger; they are located along the entire length of the trunk. They ripen at the same time and remain firm for 2-3 weeks.

Brussels sprouts have light-colored leaves, but plants high in anthocyanins turn red.

The best varieties are considered:

Perfection

Russian mid-late cabbage with a yield of 5 kg of fruit per year per bush. It has excellent taste and healthy qualities. Suitable for use in any form.

Zavitka (Czech Republic)

A productive late-ripening variety. It begins to bear fruit on the 160th day and lasts for 20 days. The height of the stem reaches 90 cm, many heads grow, but small ones up to 15 g.

Rosella (Germany)

The ripening period is 170 days. The plant grows up to 90 cm, the fruits are dense green with a blue tint, weighing up to 13 g. The main feature of the variety is the uniform ripening of the fruits and suitability for long-term storage.

Rudnef

The variety is high-yielding. The height of the stem is up to 50 cm with a yield of 1 kg of cabbages of 20 g each. Withstands frosts of -70 C. Suitable for long-term storage and preparation of various dishes.

Hercules (Russia)

Fruiting begins 150 days after germination. The plant grows in height up to 40-70 cm with 12 gram fruits of oval or round shape. Frost-resistant. With good taste.

Growing seedlings

Unpretentious, frost-resistant Brussels sprouts have the longest growing season compared to their relatives - 120-180, and some varieties even more than 180 days. This feature entails the need to grow it mainly through seedlings.

Timing for planting seedlings

The time at which the growing process begins directly depends on the temperature and the selected seed variety. The optimal time for early-middle varieties is mid-March, and for mid-late varieties - early April.

You can grow Brussels sprouts seedlings in a heated greenhouse, a glassed-in balcony, or a windowsill, most importantly maintaining 70% air humidity and good lighting.

Preparing seeds for planting

A particularly important point in growing seedlings is seed preparation. For this:

• seeds are kept in damp cloth for 5 days;
• heat in hot water (500 C) for 20 minutes;
• then dipping in cold water, soak for 10 hours. in manganese solution;
• washed after potassium permanganate, they are placed in the refrigerator for a day;
• After 24 hours, the seeds that have undergone the preparation process are dried.

Preparing seeds for sowing will increase their germination, rid the plant of diseases and pests, and increase resistance to cold.

Sowing seeds for seedlings

To sow seeds, prepare a soil mixture consisting of: peat, turf soil, sand, wood ash mixed in equal proportions with the addition of mineral fertilizer. It is undesirable to use soil from the garden and humus - there is a risk of infection with blackleg.

The containers are filled with the finished soil, watered with a manganese solution and the grooves are pressed to a depth of 1.5 cm with an interval between rows of up to 10 cm. The seeds are laid out in the grooves at a distance of ~ 4 cm from each other, covered with soil lightly, pressing down. The container is covered with glass or cellophane to create a greenhouse effect.

Seedling care

The sown seeds in a container are kept in a room with a temperature of up to 200 C, and the soil is sprinkled with water if necessary. The first shoots will appear in a week.

At this time, it is advisable to lower the temperature and open the plants so that the seedlings do not stretch out.

With the appearance of the first true leaf on the 9th day, the plant requires special care; it consists of:

1. picking - transplanting sprouts to a new place. To do this, prepare separate cups, pots or larger containers, fill them with fresh soil mixture, and water them with a manganese solution;
2. the seedlings, together with a lump of earth, are carefully transplanted to a new prepared place, deepening it down to the cotyledon leaves;
3. watering the seedlings with warm water and loosening the soil;
4. 2-stage feeding. The first (non-root) should be carried out after the development of 3 true leaves. A solution is prepared from 10 liters of water, superphosphate (40 g), potassium sulfate (10 g). The second is carried out after 2 weeks, for it superphosphate (60 g), potassium sulfate (20 g), ammonium nitrate (30 g) are dissolved in 10 liters of water. Fertilizers are applied to watered soil;
5. Humidity control to prevent overwatering, which can lead to blackleg disease.

Hardening off seedlings

Before planting Brussels sprouts in the garden, they need to be hardened off. To do this you need to provide access to it atmospheric air. If seedlings are grown indoors, they are taken outside. The hardening process is carried out over 15 days, starting from 0.5 hours with a daily increase in time until planting on the prepared area.

Optimal timing of planting in the ground

Seedlings with a stem thickness of ~5 mm with at least 5 leaves up to 20 cm high are ready for transplanting into open ground. Usually this is the last ten days of May - mid-June.

A week before planting seedlings in open ground, stop watering them. The day before planting, water the plant generously to create as large a lump of soil around the roots as possible.

Soil preparation and planting scheme for Brussels sprouts

The right place for growing cabbage is the key to an excellent harvest. It depends on what crops sprouted last season in this garden bed. If the predecessors were grains, legumes, potatoes, carrots, or onions - great. And it is advisable to abandon the garden bed where beets, tomatoes, and radishes grew.

Repeated cultivation of Brussels sprouts in one area is possible no earlier than 4 years.

Brussels sprouts grow well in sunny southern or southeastern areas. Loves loamy, fertile soil. Its preparation begins in the fall with deep digging (to the depth of a shovel). If necessary, add lime. In spring, the soil is fertilized with organic matter per square meter. m - 1 bucket, loosen to a depth of 5 cm. Additionally, when planting seedlings, add to each hole: 2 cups of wood ash, 2 tbsp. spoons of superphosphate, 1 tsp. urea.

In prepared soil, seedlings are planted in holes located according to the pattern - 60x60 cm. The size of the dug hole should be larger than the size of the root system of the seedling along with the lump. Fertilizers are placed in it, lightly mixed with soil, then the seedling is moved from the seedling container into the prepared hole using the transfer method. Watering with warm water is covered with light compaction.

The harvest of Brussels sprouts depends on proper care.

The most important activities are: treatment of row spacing - destruction of weeds, loosening the soil, maintaining the air-water regime. After the trunk is fully formed, you need to pinch the last bud to improve stimulation of fruit ripening. Since Brussels sprouts grow for a long time, and the distance between the seedlings is quite large, it is allowed to plant some early crops between them: tomatoes, cucumbers.

Watering and fertilizing cabbage

The plant is moisture-loving and requires regular watering. During growth and fruiting, it is watered 10 or more times. In this case, it is advisable to water deeply, pouring up to 8 liters of water per 1 square meter. m, and during the period of fruit formation up to 10-12 liters. In rainy weather, the frequency of watering and the amount of water used must be adjusted. Cabbage is watered in 3 ways: sprinkling, furrow and drip.

After 2 weeks from the moment of planting, the formation of a rosette of leaves begins, and the time comes to increase nitrogen nutrition. The first fertilizing is carried out. It depends on how well the beds were fertilized in the fall. If all norms for the application of organic fertilizers are met, then the first fertilizing can be limited to the application of nitrogen-containing mixtures; after the appearance of the first ovaries, fertilizing with potassium salt can be carried out. Organic fertilizer diluted in water is also used: mullein 1:6, bird droppings 1:10, slurry 1:4 for up to 1.5 liters of solution per plant.

The fertilizing process must be approached with caution - an excess of fertilizer can affect the quality of the heads of cabbage, they will be loose, a lack of nitrogen will appear on the green mass - the lower leaves will begin to turn yellow and fall off.

Hilling up and loosening the soil

Considering the peculiarity of the structure of Brussels sprouts - the largest heads are formed in the axils of the lower leaves, hilling is not carried out or is carried out in a small layer. During the growth, development and maturation of plants, up to 6 or more loosenings are carried out, always after watering or precipitation.

Delaying loosening will retard their growth. The first is carried out on the 3rd day after planting the seedlings. The main thing is not to forget to mulch the bed.

Pre-harvest care

A week before the expected harvest, the leaves are removed from the plant. So, from plants that ripen at the same time, they are removed at once, trying not to disturb the integrity of the heads. And with gradual ripening - in 2-3 steps, the leaves are removed only from the intended harvest area.

Collection and storage

Harvesting begins after the fruits reach maturity. It is distinguished by its maximum size, the special shine of the head, and the yellowed leaf at the base. Early-medium varieties ripen in September-October. Brussels sprouts of these varieties are harvested in 2-3 stages. Starting from the bottom, place them in containers and place them in a cool place. At a storage temperature of 0 C they do not lose quality for up to 1.5 months, when frozen all winter.

Mid-late varieties that ripen at the same time are ready for one-time harvesting in October-November. When harvesting this type, it is possible to cut down the stems near the ground, store them in heaps, and then separate the leaves and fruits.

Brussels sprouts can be stored fresh during the winter and consumed as needed. To do this, plants are dug up before the first frost and buried in sand in an inclined position in a basement or greenhouse.

If these conditions are not available, you can store them in the refrigerator by packing the stems with fruits in plastic bags.

Diseases and pests

The most dangerous in terms of their number and effect on cabbage leaves are: cruciferous flea beetle, cabbage and sprout flies, cabbage whites.

No less dangerous for Brussels sprouts are diseases: rot, black leg, spotting, mosaic, bacteriosis, clubroot, white.

They are capable of partially and sometimes completely destroying the crop. To protect it, preventive measures are taken - these include following the rules for caring for these plants, planting crops around the perimeter that repel insects, using folk remedies.

If there is no result, it is necessary to use fungicides for treatment.

Growing Brussels sprouts is not difficult, the main thing is to follow the rules for growing this crop. And it will delight you with fruits of high nutritional value and its decorative appearance.

Today, Brussels sprouts are grown mostly in areas with moderate summer temperatures and warm, long autumn periods. These are the conditions that correspond biological features this vegetable crop and contribute to a good harvest.

Brussels sprouts are a biennial herbaceous crop. The height of the plant varies from 20 to 60 centimeters.

At the stage of growing Brussels sprouts seedlings, the plant forms a stem part with long-petioled, spreading, entire leaves.

At the next stage of cultivation, large buds are formed in the leaf axils - heads of cabbage, which have a round shape. Their weight rarely exceeds 15 grams, and the total yield from each properly grown plant can be 500 grams.

Brussels sprouts are considered a cold-resistant plant and are quite tolerant of short-term frosts down to -6ºC.

Setting and high-quality filling of fruits requires an optimal temperature background - at the level of 18ºС. At temperatures above 25ºC, growth and fruit formation slow down. Due to the climatic preferences of Brussels sprouts in the country, they should be grown in open-air beds.

Planting methods

Sowing of seeds is carried out in the last days of March or at the very beginning of April. High-quality seedlings are obtained when grown on a glassed-in balcony or in a heated greenhouse, which helps ensure optimal temperature levels.

Temperatures at night should vary from 6 to 8 degrees Celsius, and during the day the temperature should be approximately 20 degrees. Before emergence the temperature environment should be maintained at 2 degrees Celsius.

The first seedlings appear on the fourth day. Peat-humus planting pots are suitable for planting.

Seedlings need regular watering and feeding with mineral fertilizers. The room where seedlings are grown should be ventilated. Picking is carried out one and a half months after sowing the seeds.

Cultivation is carried out on loamy, organic-rich and deeply cultivated soils. Agricultural techniques for growing Brussels sprouts should be carefully observed, including mandatory care and feeding measures.

How to grow Brussels sprouts (video)

Features of caring and feeding cabbage in the garden

• Growing Brussels sprouts should be accompanied by the necessary measures to prepare the soil in the fall. It is necessary to intensively loosen and dig up the soil, and then apply the required amount of organic and mineral fertilizers.
• The autumn application of superphosphate, potassium fertilizer, manure or peat compost has a very good effect on the growth and health of the grown Brussels sprouts and contributes to obtaining a large harvest of large and even heads of cabbage.
• Before spring planting, it is necessary to loosen the soil again and enrich the soil for planting with urea.
• It is most convenient to form planting beds after the soil has been thoroughly moistened.
• If it was not possible to carry out high-quality fertilization of the land during the autumn preparation process, then you can add fertilizer to the holes dug for planting cabbage seedlings.
• When grown in open ground the ridges are formed by the beginning of May, and the holes are arranged according to a pattern of 50 x 50 centimeters.

• Brussels sprouts are vegetable crops with a long growing season, which reaches five months, and it would be justified to plant earlier ripening crops in the rows, which will already form a harvest before the cabbage begins to bear fruit.
• For fertilizing that is done no more than once a week, it makes sense to use fertilizers that contain the same percentage of phosphorus and nitrogen.
• Caring for Brussels sprouts includes regular watering.
• This type of cabbage has a fairly high shoot and requires hilling measures to provide support to the stem.
• In order for the root system to receive the air necessary for full development, soil loosening should be carried out periodically.
• If necessary, weeding is carried out, without which the care of any plant is considered incomplete.
• We should not forget about the need to pinch the stem tip or remove the rosette apex one and a half months before harvesting.

Diseases and pests

Among frequent illnesses The following cultures can be distinguished:

• blackleg;
• clubroot;
• mucous bacteriosis;
• downy mildew.

Pests to watch out for:

• cruciferous flea beetles;
• cabbage flies;
• snails and slugs;
• cabbage scoop and white cabbage.

Therapeutic and preventive measures are similar to control methods effective against pests for other cabbage crops. At the initial stage of a disease or lesion, as well as for preventive purposes, folk herbal remedies can be used.

It helps to protect plants not only by taking all measures for high-quality pre-sowing soil preparation and using disinfection compounds after harvesting, but also by observing crop rotation in the beds.

Brussels sprouts can be grown after green manure, carrots, potatoes, onions, legumes, grain crops, and cucumbers. It is prohibited to plant crops on ridges where cabbage, beets, tomatoes, turnips, radishes or radishes were previously grown. You can return Brussels sprouts to an already used bed no earlier than after four years. Compliance with this rule will insure the plant from damage by a significant part of the pests and diseases common to all cabbage crops.

Harvesting and storage rules

Harvesting of the ripened crop is carried out selectively and begins in mid-September. At the very beginning, the lower cabbage heads ripen and must be broken off. The final cleaning takes place in early November, after the cold weather sets in.

Planting Brussels sprouts seedlings in open ground (video)

Stems with ripe inflorescences separated from the root system can be stored in a cool room for about three months. Individual cabbage heads can be processed or frozen immediately.

Brussels sprouts, like any other crop, have cultivation characteristics. By following them, you will get a wonderful vitamin harvest.

Brussels sprouts are a versatile vegetable native to Brussels. Small, crispy, fortified heads, piquant in taste, contain a lot of easily digestible protein, similar in properties to chicken.

Characteristics and properties

Brussels sprouts belong to the leafy subspecies, a biennial plant, of the cruciferous family. In appearance, cabbage has a long stem and a fluffy top. Small (up to 5 cm) heads of twisted leaves are formed on the stem cabbage leaves corrugated surface.

Heads of cabbage are a good dietary product; they contain a lot of potassium, which is why they are recommended for use in diseases of the cardiovascular system. High content of iodine, magnesium, calcium, iron and vitamins.

It has an anti-inflammatory, general strengthening effect in atherosclerosis, diabetes, inflammatory processes in the bile ducts and liver.

Can be used as a separate dish or in soups, stews, or as a side dish.

Early hybrid varieties: Franklin F1 and Hercules. Ripening period is 130 – 140 days. Stem height is up to 60 cm, yield per bush is up to 40 heads with a total weight of up to 400 g.

Mid-season varieties: Diablo F1 and Casio. Time to reach commercial maturity is 155 – 170 days. "Cassio" has an ovoid shape of blue-green heads, with a diameter of up to 3 cm, and a head weight of up to 12 g.

Late-ripening varieties: “Boxer F1” and “Zavitka” with ripening periods of 170 days. The height of the bush is up to 90 cm, the average heads of cabbage are up to 5 cm, the weight of one is up to 15 g, the total number is up to 40 heads of cabbage.

Site organization and soil preparation

It is preferable to choose a lighted area. The soil is best rich in nutrients, loamy or sandy-loamy, but can also be planted on less fertilized soils free of weeds. The soil reaction is slightly acidic. Dilute high acidity soil with lime.

The site has been being prepared since the fall. When digging, organic and mineral (potassium and phosphorus-containing) fertilizers are applied.

In spring, the soil is loosened and fertilized with urea. The beds are formed on moist soil.

Brussels sprouts have a long growing season, which makes it possible to grow other early-ripening vegetables in the inter-row.

Predecessors

Vegetables, herbs, and legumes will be good predecessors.

Sowing time

They are sown either in a greenhouse from April to May, or immediately in open ground.

Sowing and caring for seedlings

Brussels sprouts seeds are sown for seedlings in late March or early April. Seeds are planted to a depth of 1 cm. At the stage of formation of one true leaf, seedlings should be planted in peat humus cups.

The seedlings are kept in moist soil with constant ventilation and feeding.

Two weeks before planting on the site, hardening can be carried out with a gradual increase in the period of stay in the open air.

Landing in the ground

Planted in open ground on days 45–60 in the 5–6 leaf phase. Planting pattern 60x60 cm.

Brussels sprouts need constant loosening of the rows and watering. It is better to do this with well water.

Heads of cabbage will form in the leaf axils. In some varieties their number can reach up to 70 pieces. The top of the cabbage should be torn off when the heads of the bottom row reach the size of a pea. This way you can stop the growth of the plant in height and direct all the energy to the formation of heads of cabbage.

In the fall, hilling and, if necessary, tying up tall unstable bushes should be carried out.

Cabbage tolerates frost well. It has been noticed that the taste of Brussels sprouts improves after short frosts and it becomes more aromatic.

Top dressing

If the soil is poor in summer, up to four fertilizings with nitrogen fertilizers can be carried out. In the second half of the growing season, it is worth adding superphosphate. Next they are fed with combined complex fertilizers.

A lack of phosphorus and potassium in the soil can lead to the fact that heads of cabbage will not set.

Watering with an aqueous solution of fermented nettle gives good results.

Pests

Brussels sprouts are sick, just like cabbage sprouts, but they are not affected by the cabbage fly because of the mustard oils they contain.

Insecticides are used against caterpillars and aphids, cabbage whites and moths.

Young cabbage heads attract birds, so care must be taken to repel them.

Avoid soil oxidation, which will inevitably lead to clubroot disease.

Harvesting

The harvest is harvested as the heads of cabbage ripen. Collection begins at the bottom of the bush, gradually cutting off larger specimens. They should be picked together with the stem, this way the heads of cabbage can be preserved longer.

The first harvest is usually harvested in early October and continues until late autumn.

After the onset of a period of stable frosts, the bush is cut down at the root, the leaves and top are removed, and the stem with heads of cabbage is brought into the cellar.

When frozen, the heads of cabbage retain their taste and can be stored for a long time.

If you do not cut off the heads, shoots will form from them next year and the bush will bloom.

Growing Brussels sprouts at home

Brussels sprouts: cultivation and care.

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Soil preparation

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​When a waxy sheen is visible on the cabbage, and the leaves at its base begin to turn yellow and crumble, you can begin harvesting. The fruits can be collected at once, when all the stems are cut off, or in stages, sequentially removing the heads from the bottom of the bushes.​

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Growing seedlings

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​Among all varieties of cabbage, Brussels sprouts have the highest content of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. Ripe inflorescences contain up to 5% protein (which is comparable to legumes), more than a dozen amino acids, without which normal functioning of the body is impossible.​

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The cabbage stem is tied to a support.

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​Spices, salt - to taste. The composition of spices is selected based on your own preferences.​
​If necessary, you can resort to growing technology. Cabbage is planted in well-moistened grooves in a greenhouse or in special boxes in the basement (at a temperature of 3-6 degrees).

​Water moderately, the soil should not be too wet or dry. It is recommended to monitor the condition of the soil layer every two days, especially if the weather outside is hot and sultry.​

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​Seedlings for planting should have 3-4 petals for further fruit development.​

Harvesting and storage

​At the stage when the heads begin to thicken, it is recommended to pinch the top bud to improve the quality of the harvest. And in the first days of September, the top is often cut off altogether, directing all growth forces to the rapid formation of heads of cabbage. But when performing this operation, you must remember that frost resistance is somewhat reduced after it.

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Brussels sprout varieties

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Growing Brussels sprouts

​Hercules​

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Features of a greenhouse for Brussels sprouts

​The interior of the greenhouse is painted white to reduce solar heat absorption and provide the best care for the Brussels sprouts. Because White color effectively reflects sunlight, the air in the greenhouse heats up as much as possible. Growing seedlings in such a greenhouse is easy and convenient. Thermal insulating materials in the design are used at the joints of frames and transoms in the form of strips, for example, roofing felt, to prevent cold air from entering from the outside. Such agricultural technology helps to grow cabbage without diseases and pests. Heads of cabbage in the leaf axils begin to form at the end of August. But the main cutting of ready-made heads of cabbage usually occurs at the beginning of October. Standard ones should be dense and green. Since ripening does not occur simultaneously, harvesting has to be divided into several stages. It is best to store the collected heads of cabbage frozen, defrosting them only just before use. From the emergence of shoots to the readiness of the heads of cabbage for harvesting, approximately 150 days pass. Such a long growing season of this type of cabbage requires cultivation through seedlings. Experts call the most convenient time for sowing it in the middle zone the beginning of April.​

The plant is unusually cold-resistant. Seeds begin to grow already at two degrees above zero. And adult specimens can easily withstand frosts down to minus 10 °C, after which they thaw and continue to grow. There is an opinion that frost is even good for them, helping to improve the taste of the heads of cabbage.

​Carefully select seeds for planting. Seeds that are too light (empty inside), small or damaged, or seeds without a glossy sheen are not suitable. This will allow you to grow high-quality seedlings.​

​Brussels sprouts are considered a real delicacy and one of the healthiest vegetables; they contain potassium and magnesium, complete vegetable protein, plenty of iron and a number of vitamins.​

Caring for Brussels sprouts

​Grated onions and carrots are sauteed for no more than 10 minutes in a moderate amount of vegetable oil. Cabbage inflorescences are immersed in brackish boiling water for 5-7 minutes. The minced meat is mixed with spices and salt, and meatballs are formed from it.​

In a regular refrigerator, the vegetable is stored for about 30-45 days, for which it is placed in a bag with perforations. However, the best method considered to be frozen. First, the inflorescences are kept in cold water for about 15 minutes, then in boiling water for 3 minutes. The cooled heads of cabbage are placed in packaging bags and placed in the freezer.​

​no more than 6 kg of peat compost,​

​" - a late-ripening variety resistant to pests and diseases. With proper care, mature inflorescences look like golf balls.​

​Maximum benefit can be obtained from fruits grown on your own plot. Such vegetables are environmentally friendly and can be stored for a long period without chemical treatment.​

​The greenhouse is laid out already in March-April. It is advisable to use energetically valuable compost from organic waste or rotted manure, in other words, biological fuel. It is transferred to a loose stack with holes filled with hot water. The earlier the greenhouse is laid, the higher the layer of compost should be, which is a necessary condition for the successful cultivation of cabbage. The layer height can be 40-70 cm. The compost is sprinkled with wood ash on top, covered with an opaque film and left for three days. Then they fill it with peat or sawdust soil and level the surface with a rake. After this, mineral fertilizers are added, the amount of which depends on the presence/absence of nutrients in the soil and on the crop that is planned to be grown.​

By the beginning of November, the cabbage is harvested entirely, including the stem, cutting it off at the beginning of the root collar. Cut with the stem, it can be kept fresh for up to two months if placed in a plastic bag and kept in a cool room with a temperature of 0 - 1.5 ° C and an air humidity of about 90%.​

​You can grow seedlings at home, in a heated greenhouse, or on a glassed-in loggia or balcony. The main thing is that at night it is possible to provide 5 - 6 °C above zero, and during the day - from 15 to 18 °C. And, of course, sufficient lighting. You can also sow under glass - three seeds per pot, about 8 cm in diameter.

​The optimal temperature for growing Brussels sprouts is between +18 and +22 °C. Already at +25 °C, the formation of the plant begins to be delayed, which certainly affects the quality of the crop. That is why climatic zones with long and warm autumns are considered the best for it. In some European countries, for example, in the Netherlands, this cabbage can be grown in open ground even in winter.​

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Beneficial features

​This is a biennial plant, in the first year of its life a thick, tall stem (up to a meter) and large leaves with curved edges are formed. The heads themselves are small, about 3 cm in diameter, up to 60 pieces on one plant. For personal use, about 10 bushes are usually planted, which is enough for a small family. In addition, cabbage cannot be stored for a long time without special conditions. In the second year, the plant becomes covered with yellow flowers and forms small pods with dark seeds, whose life span is up to 5 years.​

​Meat balls are laid out on sautéed vegetables and fried until cooked, stirring occasionally. At the end, cabbage is added to the pan and the container is covered with a lid. The dish is left to simmer for 5 minutes, after which it is served with soy cream sauce with herbs and garlic.​

Brussels sprouts are a relatively young crop. This plant grows successfully in most of the country. Optimal conditions are created with moderate humidity and air temperature.​

​40 grams of superphosphate and ammonium nitrate,​

Popular varieties of Brussels sprouts

​The harvest can be obtained after the first year of cultivation. From one specimen, from 30 to 90 inflorescences weighing 8-20 grams are collected. In the future, the cabbage becomes covered with shoots that bloom and produce seeds. Their collection and subsequent use to produce seedlings contributes to the annual harvest of your own harvest.​

​By external characteristics The culture is easily distinguished due to its growth method. Its stem stretches upward, reaching a meter in height. Heads of cabbage form in the axils of the leaves on the stem, growing up to 7 cm in diameter (but more often 3-4 cm).​

• Brussels sprouts are a fairly cold-blooded plant. The period of consumption of fresh produce can be extended by burying the plants in the basement directly with the roots. Due to the nutrients that are stored in the leaves and stems, under favorable conditions, the formation of heads of cabbage will continue. The seedlings are fed twice. The first time when the second leaf is formed. The second - 7 - 10 days after the first. For the first time, dissolve in 10 liters:
• In the central zone of the European part of Russia, it is recommended to sow this type of cabbage around the second and third weeks of April, choosing well-lit and sun-warmed areas and covering with film. Seedlings are planted in the beds in the first days of June, but no later than the tenth. Brussels sprouts were bred by Belgian breeders. This new variety immediately became very popular in European countries. Small heads of cabbage have a wonderful nutty taste and great nutritional value, so they are in high demand. If properly grown and cared for, Brussels sprouts can bring in a good income.​ ​This amazing plant is considered one of the most unpretentious among its family; it can withstand temperatures down to minus 10 degrees. Most often, Brussels sprouts are grown as seedlings, because... it grows for quite a long time, about 5-6 months.​
• The essence of this dish is minimum quantity calories and amazing richness of taste. In the summer, it gives satiety without heaviness in the stomach, which is optimal in hot, sultry weather. The bushes are extremely cold-resistant - they can withstand short-term frosts and even frosts, down to -10 degrees. At the same time, too high temperatures contribute to retarded plant development and deterioration in the quality characteristics of the crop. 20 grams of potassium chloride.
• ​Growing a crop is possible only if all conditions are met. This is a light-loving plant that loves moderate watering. In dry weather, the intensity of irrigation should be plentiful. Growing this group of plants in open ground begins with choosing a variety. In the Russian climate, the following varieties are widespread: Caring for young seedlings is very important. It is necessary to properly water and regularly ventilate Brussels sprouts so that they do not get blackleg. Agricultural technology involves fertilizing plants once or twice. The first feeding is carried out when the second leaf forms on the seedlings. To do this, dilute 20 g of urea, 10 g of superphosphate and 10 g of potassium fertilizers in 10 liters of water. After 10 days, you can make another feeding. In this case, the dose of fertilizer must be increased by one and a half times. To prevent the plants from stretching out, it is necessary to monitor the temperature in the greenhouse. To grow cabbage, it should not be very hot.​

The most common varieties of Brussels sprouts are Hercules 1342, Gruntovaya Gribovskaya, Diabolo, Boxer and Hercules low. As well as the early hybrid Franklin F1, which has a ripening period of about 130 days.​

Growing conditions

- urea - 4 g;

​Brussels sprouts can grow in any soil, including even slightly acidic ones, although this increases the risk of clubroot disease. But to get a good harvest, you need structural, organic-rich, dense, but breathable soil. Although the plant will grow on a poor and poorly cultivated plant, it will develop very slowly, setting heads late. Like other cabbages, it prefers soil with high humidity, but it tolerates short-term drought more easily - a well-developed root system is capable of extracting moisture from the deep layers of the soil.​

​This vegetable contains a lot of potassium, as well as vitamins A and C. In addition, scientists have proven that eating it is an excellent prevention of cancer.​

​Should start in March. Seeds are sown in a shallow container in a slightly acidic environment to a depth of about 1 cm. Keep the distance between them about 3 cm to allow the seedlings to develop well. Their difference from other vegetables in the planting temperature is that the seeds will germinate well in the cold (from -2 to -5 C), without being placed in a greenhouse. In this case, she does not suffer from black leg and does not stretch upward much, remaining strong and stocky. As soon as the first shoots appear, the temperature should be raised, but not very much (up to 10-15 C).​

Obtaining seedlings

​Brussels sprouts - half a kilogram. It is acceptable to use fresh or frozen vegetables.​

• ​The soil for growing must not only be of a certain type and acidity level. The site must be structured and permeable. On depleted land, the crop practically does not develop and does not set heads well.​
• ​Also in the autumn, the earth is enriched with lime or ash - 200 grams/1m2.​
• ​The nature of the soil is cultivated loam, saturated with organic matter. In terms of pH level, they can be neutral or slightly acidic. The stem reaches its maximum development at a temperature of plus 18-22 degrees, however, adult plants are able to withstand frost, which is especially important for colder regions.​
• ​The transparency of the greenhouse can be impaired by moisture condensation, which forms upon contact with the coating. At the same time, the agricultural technology of Brussels sprouts can suffer from a lack of sunlight and excess humidity and it will be difficult to grow healthy plants. It is recommended to use two layers of film, which helps to retain heat, and also to regularly ventilate the greenhouse.​
• ​The varietal catalog of agricultural crops, published by the Timiryazev Academy for central Russia, recommends the early ripening variety Dolmik F1, which produces heads weighing from 7 to 17 grams. And among the late-ripening varieties, the frost-resistant variety Zavitka is offered. It takes 170 - 180 days from sowing to technical ripeness. This cabbage is especially valued for its good taste and ability to form a large number of heads. But at a time when their mass formation is underway, the plant is very demanding of moisture.

Planting Brussels sprouts in open ground

- superphosphate - 20 g;

• If Brussels sprouts are planted in a new bed that has not yet been used for growing vegetables, then for each meter it is necessary to add a bucket of humus, about half a glass of nitrophoska and two glasses of lime or wood ash. Another option:​
• Nutritionists recommend including Brussels sprouts in the diet for people who want to lose weight. In terms of nutritional value, a decoction of these vegetables can be compared to chicken broth. You should know that this product has a strong laxative effect, so people with weak intestines should not get carried away with it.​
• ​The next important stage is preparing the soil for planting. The soil must be loose, so it is dug up and loosened, and fertilizers are added in the process. Remember Brussels sprouts do not like heavy clay soils. If you have just such a plant, you should add a mixture of manure, humus and mineral fertilizers to it when digging. In early spring, when forming beds, you should add bone meal to them.​

​Butter – 50 grams.​

The plant reacts negatively to low light. It withstands short-term lack of moisture well. The powerful root system of bushes is capable of sucking moisture from the deep layers of the earth. As the plant grows, it consumes many nutritional components. The introduction of potassium and nitrogen into the soil causes the development of large heads of cabbage.​

In spring, the soil layer is dug up again and young shoots are planted in rows. There should be a lump of earth left on the seedlings, that is, the shoot is carefully removed from the container in which it grew after preliminary digging. A distance of 60–70 cm is maintained between each specimen. The specified gap is maintained on all sides.​

​To eliminate the impact of pests and diseases, it is recommended to use resistant varieties, the considered growing conditions, and adherence to crop rotation. If these rules are not followed, cabbage may be affected by aphids, armyworms, white flea beetles, thrips, moths, and bacteriosis.​

Growing

​Cassio​

​The area of ​​the ventilation holes should be 18-25% of the total area of ​​the structure. To increase the efficiency of air exchange, the openings in the greenhouse should be located in the direction of the prevailing winds, which will provide the best care for the plants.​

​The mid-early variety Rosella is also in demand. Its heads reach technical ripeness 160 days after sowing. But their density and taste are very satisfactory.​

​- potassium chloride - 10 g.​

Harvesting

​- urea - 14 g;​

The following hybrid varieties are suitable for growing Brussels sprouts:

Storing Brussels sprouts

​Ideal predecessors for cabbage would be plants that do not exhaust the soil, root vegetables or legumes, as well as some tomatoes or onions.​

​High fat cream – 250 ml.​

Note to the gardener

​Small heads of cabbage are successfully used to prepare broths that are not inferior in nutritional value to chicken broths. They are the optimal, from a nutritional point of view, side dish for meat dishes and perfectly complement prefabricated vegetable roasts.​

​The shoots are firmly fixed in the ground by carefully compacting the soil near the stems.​

​Ideal predecessors are vegetable root vegetables, legumes, tomatoes, and pumpkin. Planting should not be done after the cruciferous family. This is due to the fact that both crops are susceptible to the same diseases and pests.​

​" - is characterized by high yield and belongs to mid-season varieties. You can collect at least 60 heads of cabbage from one plant.​

Cooking recipes

​Various devices help maintain a favorable microclimate in greenhouses. These can be containers with pebbles, gravel or any other material that can accumulate heat on sunny days and then release it. You can also use containers of water. During the day, water absorbs solar heat and prevents the air from overheating, and at night it keeps the air warm. But such painstaking care is practically not needed for Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts have a long growing season, which allows them to be grown until the coldest weather. Harvesting can begin in late October or early November.​

​Amateur gardeners most often find the Hercules 1342 variety with a ripening period of 140 to 150 days. The harvest of 20 - 30 heads formed on the stem can reach 300 g per plant. The height of the plant usually does not exceed half a meter. And its frost resistance is so great that this variety is the last vegetable to be harvested - in early November.

Brussels sprouts with meatballs

​For the second one:​

Components:

• - superphosphate - 30 g;
• ​Early Franklin F1. Maturation period 130 days;​
• The process itself is not much different from growing classic white cabbage; ready-made seedlings are planted at the end of May in well-lit areas of the garden, because The rate of ripening depends on this. There are no special requirements for the soil; cabbage can be grown on not very fertile soil.​
• ​30+40 grams of flour. For white gravies, use plain wheat flour (pre-sifted).​
• The peculiarity of this variety is that it can be frozen, dried and pickled for the winter. In dietary nutrition, Brussels sprouts can be an independent food - cooking recipes will allow you to diversify your daily menu.​
• Potted or cassette seedlings, in which the root system is less affected, take root best. Molds for this planting method are available for sale at any flower shop.​

Cooking principle

​The growing season of the plant (the time spent from sowing to harvest) reaches 180 days, which determines the efficiency of cultivation seedling method. To obtain it, you should follow these recommendations:

Brussels sprouts in spicy sauce

​Growing cabbage requires constant watering and maintaining moisture.​

Components:

• ​Easy to care for, Brussels sprouts can be an excellent source of vitamins and essential nutrients for the body. minerals, especially at a time when the period of consumption of other fresh vegetables is already over.​
• - urea - 2 g;
• - potassium chloride - 4 g;
• ​Medium Diablo F1. Ripens in 160 days;
• ​Much more problems may arise due to heat; frost-resistant Brussels sprouts do not tolerate temperatures above 25 C; in such conditions, your harvest simply will not form.​
• ​Parmesan (finely grated) – 100 grams.​
• ​This dish is suitable for lunch and can be served on its own for dinner. The time required for cooking will take no more than 45 minutes.​

Sequencing

Caring for a crop planted in seedlings is comparable to the care that is provided for simple cabbage. Before the formation of ovaries, watering is carried out quite often, 350 l/10 m2 of area per time. After the appearance of heads of cabbage, the norm increases to 400 - 450 liters.

Can everyone eat Brussels sprouts?

The start of planting seeds is the end of March, beginning of April. It is important not to miss this time, since the plant has a long growing season. Planting at a late date will not allow you to get a rich and full harvest.​

​Rosella​

Brussels sprouts should be watered correctly in the morning. With the appearance of several leaves, watering can be increased. The frames in the greenhouse are opened first during the day, and then, when it gets warmer, at night. This is done a few days before selecting cabbage seedlings. Before sampling, the seedlings need to be watered especially thoroughly. Ready Brussels sprouts seedlings should have 3-4 leaves and a well-developed root system. Brussels sprouts need to be grown under constant watering conditions so as not to reduce the yield. It is very moisture-loving and demanding of soil fertility. It is useless to grow it on poor soils, since the buds ripen late or do not ripen at all. It is also impossible to grow Brussels sprouts in fresh manure. Cabbage in such soil immediately gets clubroot and dies.

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Growing Brussels sprouts - secrets, videos, photos, growing at home and in open ground

Brussels sprouts are usually grown using seedlings. To grow as many healthy and strong seedlings as possible, you need to use a greenhouse or a semi-dark greenhouse. Seeds are sown between the end of March and mid-April, but it is better to start sowing Brussels sprouts in mid-March. Pots with a fertile, structured soil mixture are well suited for this. Seedlings are planted in open ground at the end of May. If seeds are sown in boxes, then the distance between plants should be 3-4 cm, and between the grooves - at least 6 cm. The boxes are placed in a closed greenhouse with a temperature of at least 15 degrees. Shoots are formed already on the 4-5th day. There is no need to water them at first. When the first leaves appear on the Brussels sprouts seedlings, they can be plucked.

- superphosphate - 20 g;

​- nitroammophoska - 0.5 teaspoon for each hole during planting of seedlings.​

Brussels sprouts cultivation, growing conditions and care

​Late Boxer F1. The harvest can be harvested after 170 days.​

​Plants need to be planted at least half a meter apart from each other, so that as they grow they do not shade each other’s space, and the entire crop is filled with juice evenly. Brussels sprouts should be watered regularly and little by little, not allowing the soil to dry out, but also not swamping the habitat with it. If desired, you can fertilize the ground before planting with a mixture of wood ash and humus (0.5 liters of ash per bucket of humus is enough for 1 square meter of soil).​

​Garlic – 2 cloves. If you have an allergy, you can skip this component.​

​Frozen heads of cabbage – 300 grams. If you have fresh ones, you can take fresh ones.​

Growing Brussels sprouts outdoors

​During intensive growth, the plant is extremely responsive to the introduction of mineral fertilizers. When seven days have passed after placing the shoots in the ground, the first fertilizing is carried out. It is recommended to use nitroammophoska - 1 tsp for 2 wells

​Place - boxes with a soil mixture composed of peat, turf soil, wood ash, mineral fertilizers.​

​" - is practically not inferior in yield to the previous one. An average of 50 inflorescences are obtained from the stem. The variety is mid-season, which is optimal for planting in the Urals and Siberia.​

Secrets of growing Brussels sprouts

The agricultural technology of Brussels sprouts is similar to the agricultural technology of medium white cabbage varieties, but Brussels sprouts are more demanding on growing conditions. Seedlings are planted on day 50-60 according to the 70x40 pattern. When the buds reach a size of 1 cm, the tops of the plants are pinched. Brussels sprouts are very cold-resistant. Some of its varieties tolerate light frosts, but cannot withstand piercing winds. Therefore, to grow it, always choose an area protected from the wind. Caring for Brussels sprouts requires plenty of light, as the plant slows down its growth at the slightest shade.​

• In order for the cabbage harvest to be large and healthy, its seedlings must be grown in a greenhouse or semi-dark greenhouse.
• ​- potassium chloride - 10 g.​
• The fertilized bed is carefully dug up, leveled and disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate - one and a half grams per bucket of water. At least three liters will be required to process each square meter. The biological preparation Fitosporin also gives good results, which should be used a week or two before planting.​
• ​Since this is a long-growing plant, growing Brussels sprouts in open ground is impossible without the use of seedlings. Seedlings can be planted in the soil in early April.​
• ​There are several tricks to achieve better results:​
• ​Salt, pepper - according to your own taste.​
• ​One bulb - it is preferable to use white varieties.​

​The second time the fertilizer is introduced after the formation of the first ovaries. Feeding composition: nitroammophoska, 25 grams of potassium sulfate, double superphosphate, a bucket of water. The fertilizer is introduced carefully, in doses, for which it is convenient to use a watering can with a special nozzle.​

Useful properties of cabbage

​The planting of seedlings from seeds is carried out to a depth of 1-2 cm. The recess is easy to make with a finger.​

The best varieties

A necessary condition for growing Brussels sprouts is mulching. In September, the tops of the plants are removed to enhance the growth of buds. With this approach, the frost resistance of cabbage is reduced. When using fertilizers, it must be taken into account that a lack of nitrogen leads to yellowing of the foliage, and an abundance of mineral fertilizers makes the buds loose and unsuitable for consumption. To stop cabbage leaves from turning yellow, you can add a small amount of horn flour to the soil. Also, the agricultural technology of Brussels sprouts implies the presence of a special mesh that protects the plants from pests, for example, from the cabbage fly.​

• ​When building a greenhouse, problems arise various questions, associated with the choice of coverage, as well as with ventilation, heating and watering methods, which are implied by the agricultural technology of the crop.​
• In general, the growing rules are the same as for cauliflower seedlings.
• During the growing season, this cabbage consumes large amounts of potassium and nitrogen and is very fond of organic fertilizers. But it is not recommended to place fresh manure under it, since when it is used, there is a delay in the formation of the crop, often accompanied by a deterioration in quality and presentation - the heads of cabbage become looser and are stored worse.

Growing technology

​Between the rows of cabbage it is quite possible to plant early vegetables such as cucumbers or tomatoes. Because Brussels sprouts take a long time to grow, you will have time to harvest vegetables and save space in the garden.​

​How to prepare a delicious diet dish? The inflorescences are washed, cleaned, and filled with water. Vegetables should be cooked for no more than 8 minutes. You can add a little salt to the liquid so that the vegetables acquire a more pronounced flavor. Melt the butter in a saucepan, gradually add flour, and mix the sauce. Next, cream is added and the mixture is brought to readiness for 3 minutes. Finally, fresh chopped rosemary and garlic are added. The cabbage is poured with sauce, sprinkled with cheese and served.​

For quite a long time, in vegetable markets, and in most supermarkets, you can see an unusual type of vegetable. This peculiar and unique vegetable is Brussels sprouts. In terms of the amount of useful vitamins contained in it, it is in no way inferior to ordinary white cabbage, and in terms of taste it is in many ways superior to it. In addition, this is a very unusual and beautiful plant, which looks especially unusual during the formation of forks. What kind of crop is this and how to grow Brussels sprouts at home?

General information

In fact, Brussels sprouts are a type of white cabbage and are a type of cabbage. This cultivated plant Therefore, it is simply impossible to find it in the wild. An unusual vegetable was developed in Belgium and named after Brussels farmers.

Cabbage first gained general recognition in countries Western Europe, Canada and the United States. In Russia, its popularity came only in the middle of the 19th century. In our country it is cultivated in limited quantities in the central regions. This vegetable is so frost-resistant that it gets along in almost any climatic conditions.

Description and appearance of cabbage

This vegetable crop is a biennial plant. Brussels sprouts grow (we will look at how to grow them in open ground later) in an extremely unusual way. First, a thick stem grows 30-100 centimeters high; in rare cases, the stem can reach bigger size. Located throughout the stem large leaves Green colour. It is also considered normal if dark green spots with a purple tint form on the leaves. A small rosette of leaves forms at the top of the stem. In autumn, small cabbage forks form near each leaf. The diameter of each reaches from 2 to 5 centimeters. The fruits may be located very sparsely, or, conversely, they may cling to the entire stem. Up to 70 forks can grow on one stem. In the second year of flowering, the plant does not bear fruit, but produces flowers with small brown seeds. Brussels sprouts seeds can remain viable for no more than 5 years. Cabbage can withstand frosts down to -10 degrees, which makes it the most frost-resistant among all types. Also, this type of cabbage is one of the longest germinating species. The ripening period lasts from 120 to 180 days, which is why this species is more convenient to grow through seedlings.

How to Grow Brussels Sprouts from Seeds

The very first question asked by a gardener who decides to grow this crop is: how and when to plant it? How to grow Brussels sprouts in the garden? The seeds of this plant begin to grow at a temperature of +2 degrees. It is best to grow seedlings in early April. It is advisable to do this in a heated greenhouse. If you don’t have one, then a glazed balcony is perfect for this. The most optimal environment for sowing is high air humidity, as well as a temperature of +3 or +4 degrees at night. Sprouts begin to appear on the fifth day.

So, how to grow Brussels sprouts from seeds? Before sowing, the seeds must be warmed well in water for 15 minutes. The recommended water temperature is no more than 50 degrees. Then they are immersed in cold water for 1 minute. Next, the seeds are kept for 12 hours in a solution rich in microelements, then washed in running water and placed in the refrigerator for a day. After that, the seeds should be dried and you can start planting. In order for the seedlings to be strong, the seeds must be sown at a distance of at least 5 centimeters from each other, and the planting depth should be no more than 2 centimeters. After one true leaf appears on the seedlings, the plants are picked and then transplanted into separate boxes. Next, the seedlings should grow from 35 to 60 days. After which it is transplanted into open ground. Usually by this time from 4 to 7 leaves grow on each stem. If you plan to grow Brussels sprouts in your garden, it is important to properly prepare the soil.

The soil

Cabbage loves cultivated soils rich in nutrients; in putrid soils, seedlings will have poor germination. That is why, before growing Brussels sprouts in open ground, the soil must be fertilized in the spring before planting. It is best to use ammonium nitrate or urea for these purposes. Concentration is approximately 20 g per 1 m. A sunny place is best for planting, since cabbage does not like shade. It is recommended to plant plants in two rows, quite far from each other. The best distance between plants is at least 50 cm.

How to care for Brussels sprouts beds

When considering how to grow Brussels sprouts, it is important to familiarize yourself with the care features. Two weeks after planting the plants in the beds, it is recommended to carry out the first fertilizing with mineral fertilizers. It is recommended to apply 1-2 liters of fertilizer per stem.

The second feeding is carried out when forks form on the stems. Cabbage must be watered abundantly. This crop needs abundant watering especially during the formation of small forks. To prevent pests from attacking the cabbage, it is recommended to sprinkle the ground with ash once a week after loosening. To make the cabbage harvest richer, the top rosettes should be trimmed. It is best to do this one and a half months before the harvest ripens. Let's consider further how to grow Brussels sprouts so that they are not attacked by pests.

What pests are dangerous for cabbage?

• observe crop rotation;
• treat the seeds before sowing (the method was described above);
• compliance with all rules for caring for cabbage.

Harvesting

It is recommended to start harvesting cabbage in late September or early October. It is not necessary to cut off all the forks. The harvest is harvested as it ripens. Ripe cabbage has a rich green color and reaches a diameter of 3 centimeters. The weight of one fork can reach from 10 to 15 grams.

There is another way to harvest: the finally ripe forks are cut off along with the stem, then placed in damp sand and put away in a dark place. In this form, cabbage can be stored for up to 4 months. Cut forks are best used immediately or frozen. It is a scientifically proven fact that frozen heads of Brussels sprouts do not lose their nutritional value.

Varieties of cabbage varieties

When considering the technology of how to grow Brussels sprouts, it is worth focusing on the most popular varieties. They can be divided into three types:

• early cabbage (Cassio, Dolmik, Rosello (Germany), Franklin, Rudnev, Isabella);
• mid-season cabbage (Boxer, Perfection (Russia), Hercules, Risen);
• late cabbage (Gruniger (Germany), Catskill (USA), Curl).

The harm and benefits of cabbage

Brussels sprouts are a storehouse of healthy vitamins and minerals. It is rich in vitamins B, PP, C, E, protein, and also contains huge quantities of amino acids and enzymes, folic acid and fiber. In terms of the amount of vitamin C, cabbage is many times ahead of black currants. And it contains exactly as much riboflavin as natural cow’s milk.

Cabbage is a dietary and hypoallergenic product, so it can be safely given to young children, as well as older people. Due to the high content of folic acid, the vegetable can also be eaten by expectant mothers. Brussels sprouts juice has a diuretic and choleretic effect. It also has anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and immunostimulating effects. Cabbage helps fight excess weight, enhances intestinal motility, and also relieves heartburn. The prepared cabbage broth is in no way inferior to chicken broth in properties.

Brussels sprouts are not recommended for consumption by people who have weakened pancreatic function, as there is a high risk of developing hypothyroidism. In people suffering from Crohn's disease or gastrointestinal diseases, cabbage can cause bloating.

Nutritional value of Brussels sprouts

Calorie content of Brussels sprouts is 35 kcal.

Nutritional value per 100 g: proteins – 4.8 g; fats – 0.3 g; carbohydrates – 3.1 g.

Use of cabbage in cooking

Cabbage is prepared easily and quickly. Forks are most often used entirely for soups, side dishes and main courses. Vegetables can be boiled, fried, stewed. It will not lose its taste properties. The unusual shape and small size of cabbage give chefs an abundance of options for decorating various side dishes and dishes. Of course, it is best and healthier to eat cabbage raw, but if the taste seems unusual, you can resort to heat treatment or frying.

In order for the color of the forks to remain as bright as when raw, it is recommended to fry it over high heat without covering it with a lid. When choosing cabbage in a store, it is recommended to pay attention to its top leaves. As a rule, they should be bright green in color and not have dark spots on the leaves and stems. The stem should be light in color and clean. If the top leaves of the cabbage have turned yellow, it is not recommended to eat this product. It is best to choose medium-sized cabbage forks, with a diameter of about 3 cm. They should be dense and shiny, usually these are the most delicious and juicy. Larger heads of cabbage may taste bitter.

So, we looked at growing Brussels sprouts, care, varieties. As already written above, with a competent approach to business and strict adherence to all instructions, the crop can be planted on your site. The process will not require any large expenses, but the result of the work done in the form of a useful harvest will clearly please you.

Modern cottages and gardens can boast a wide variety of plants. Some people grow melons, others tomatoes and cucumbers, but sometimes you can see an unexpected guest - Brussels sprouts. This vegetable looks quite unusual, but its benefits are difficult to exaggerate. Growing Brussels sprouts is a troublesome task, but is it really possible to scare summer residents hardened by adversity with small difficulties? And if the gardener approaches the task, armed with the necessary knowledge, then it turns out that it is not so difficult. So, let’s try to describe in detail how to grow Brussels sprouts without mistakes and much hassle.

Brussels sprouts are an extremely healthy vegetable

Brief introduction. Historical reference

Brussels sprouts grow only at home. There is no wild species of this crop. First descriptions unusual vegetable made by Carl Linnaeus. He gave the name to the culture, since it was bred by Belgian gardeners near Brussels. Thanks to beneficial properties, the culture is very popular in Western Europe, Canada and the United States. This suggests that it can be planted in different climatic conditions. But in Russia this species previously did not produce a stable harvest and did not take root in gardens. Our summer residents preferred to plant a solid and productive white cabbage vegetable.

Brussels sprouts are completely different from other types. This is a biennial plant with cross pollination.

In the first year of growth, it forms a stem, the height of which can reach 60 cm. Small leaves on long petioles grow on the sides of the stem. Small heads of cabbage form in the leaf axils. One plant can produce about 40 small heads of cabbage. In the second year, the plant throws out flowering shoots and produces seeds that can remain viable for up to five years.

Brussels sprouts come in white and red

Why culture is useful The small-headed variety has a high content of amino acids and proteins. In fact, this vegetable is not inferior in protein composition to milk and meat. There are 3 times more vitamins and mineral compounds in Brussels sprouts than in white cabbage varieties. In its raw form, the product contains large quantities of vitamin C, carotene, vitamins B 1, B 2, B 6 and B 9, PP.

In addition, there are sodium and potassium salts, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron compounds, iodine and other trace elements. Thanks to its rich biochemical composition, this type of vegetable can become an indispensable food product. And also a component of many dietary supplements and medicines

. People who regularly use this product are less susceptible to seasonal colds and vitamin deficiency. The beneficial effects of this vegetable on the body are fully felt by heart patients. Because it strengthens blood vessels and improves the functioning of the heart muscle.

Brussels sprouts are a tasty and healthy product

Growing from seeds

The first question of any gardener is how and when to plant crops? The fact is that Brussels sprouts seeds can begin to grow at a temperature of +2° C. Seed germination is quite high. Mature plants tolerate frost well; they can withstand even temperatures of minus 10° C. But at least 150 days pass from seed germination to the first harvest. This means that you cannot do without growing seedlings.

The next stage of preparing seedlings obtained from seeds begins at the stage of the appearance of one true leaf. During this period, it is dived and placed in separate containers.

Plant growth takes from 35 to 60 days. This usually depends on the ambient temperature and the type of seed chosen. After this time, the seedlings can be planted in open ground. By this time, the plant should have 4-6 true leaves.

In order for the plants to receive a sufficient amount of nutrients and be strong and strong, it is advisable to plant them in the ground according to a 60x60 cm pattern. If you follow these tips, the cultivation and care of Brussels sprouts discussed in the article can produce a high yield.

Seedlings can grow for up to two months before they are planted in the ground

Preparing and caring for beds

The ideal option for all types of cabbage is to plant seedlings after the following crops:

• cereals;
• legumes;
• cucumbers, tomatoes or potatoes;
• beets;
• perennial herbs or flowers;
• spinach, celery or different types of lettuce.

These same crops take root well between shallow beds during the gardening season. Mixed plantings look good and protect each other from pests.

Even if gorgeous seedlings have been obtained, it is necessary to choose the right place and prepare the soil. This process begins in the fall. The beds on the plot or dacha are dug up and enriched with mineral fertilizers. The crop is not grown in one place for more than two years. Because pests and various pathogens can accumulate in the soil. The next planting of small cabbage is permissible after a four-year break.

In the spring, before planting seedlings in open ground, it is fertilized with urea or ammonium nitrate. The approximate concentration of fertilizers is 20 g per 1 m².

It is important to choose a sunny, not shaded place. All varieties of Brussels sprouts love moisture, but can tolerate a slight lack of water. It is advisable to feed the plant 10 days after planting in the ground. The second feeding will be necessary at the stage of planting the crop.

Brussels sprouts love to grow in the sun

For fertilizing, complex mineral or organic fertilizers are used (1-2 liters are applied per plant). If a gardener allows excess nitrogen in the soil, the vegetative mass of the plant will increase, but the quality of the crop will deteriorate.

One of the tricks for growing this type of cabbage is pinching the apical part of the stem, or cutting off the apical rosette a month and a half before ripening. During the season, the crop is watered about ten times. The plants do not require hilling, since the formation of heads begins at the base of the stem.

Harvesting and storage

It is important to know not only how to grow Brussels sprouts, but also how to properly harvest them and preserve the harvest.

The collection of small heads of cabbage is carried out selectively. This happens from early October until late autumn. The plant is finally removed after the onset of a steady cold spell. Stems with small stalks are cut and folded or buried in damp sand for storage in a cold room.

This way the harvest can be preserved for 3-4 months. If the heads are separated from the stem, they are used immediately or frozen. An amazing feature of Brussels sprouts is that when frozen, their small heads of cabbage do not lose their nutritional value.

Brussels sprouts tolerate freezing well

Selection of the best varieties

A very important factor for obtaining a good harvest is choosing the seeds of the right variety of Brussels sprouts. In the Moscow region, you can choose mid-season and late varieties, and in the Urals - mid-season varieties (there are no early varieties of the crop).

• The best varieties for the Middle Zone and the Urals:
• Perfection is an achievement of Russian breeders. The variety allows you to get up to 5 kg of small cabbage heads from one plant.
• Dolmik is a development of Dutch breeders, producing heads weighing up to 17 g.

Rosella, a variety bred by German breeders. Heads of cabbage can be harvested on the 160th day after the seeds have sprouted. One of the features of growing the described crops in the Urals and Siberia is the later warming of the soil for planting seeds. Since temperatures here are lower, planting should be carried out not in May, but in early June.

That is why hybrid varieties with a minimum ripening period are selected.

Hercules cabbage has a powerful stem with many heads

When a gardener manages to determine which varieties are the best for his dacha or homestead, difficulties with growing no longer arise. The main thing is to sow the seeds for seedlings in time, and plant them in the beds once they reach a certain type and size.

Harvesting begins when the lower heads of cabbage ripen. This is evidenced by the waxy shine of small heads and the yellowed lower leaves of the plant.

Usually a person devotes his free time to growing vegetables and fruits to be sure of their safety and benefits. Regular consumption of cabbage, bred in Belgium, will have such a beneficial effect on the human body that you simply will not want to give up growing it. It wouldn’t be a bad thing if every housewife had healthy and tasty Brussels sprouts on her menu.

Growing Brussels sprouts from seeds is suitable for people who are patient and unhurried. Although, like all cabbages, it sprouts quite quickly, it grows and develops for a long time - up to 180 days, which is six months. Here in the Urals you cannot grow it simply by sowing seeds in the ground. You should start sowing in early to mid-March. This cabbage is not only unusual in appearance, but also very healthy.

Brussels sprouts contain several times more protein than white or cauliflower. Cabbage contains a lot of minerals and vitamin C, the amount of which does not decrease during storage or processing. Brussels sprouts are included in the diet menu for diseases of the heart and blood vessels, accelerate wound healing, and restore strength after serious illnesses.

Now let's take a closer look,

How to Grow Brussels Sprouts from Seeds

Seed preparation

To grow strong and healthy cabbage plants, you must first take care of the seeds. To prevent mucous or vascular bacteriosis, seeds are kept in water at 50°C for 20-30 minutes, followed by rapid cooling with running water.

In private household plots, the drug immunocytophyte can be used for pre-sowing treatment of cabbage seeds. 0.3-0.45 g of the drug is taken per 10-15 ml of water. This solution can treat 5 g of seeds.

Please note: in no case should you treat seeds with several preparations at once; you need to choose one, otherwise the sowing quality of the seeds will decrease.

If you are going to sow about two dozen cabbage seeds, it is better to “splurge” on high-quality hybrid seeds. They are disinfected from fungal infections by the producers; they are sown without disinfection, heating or soaking.

But even the highest quality seeds that produce strong, friendly shoots are only the first successes that need to be consolidated with proper agricultural technology. Although Brussels sprouts grow quite well in the Urals and Siberia, since our climate is not particularly hot. But she also loves good care.

Soil for seedlings

To sow cabbage seedlings, prepare a planting mixture from 1 part of good garden soil (it is taken where cruciferous vegetables have not grown for the last several years - all types of cabbage, radishes, radishes, daikon) and 2 parts of compost.

You can prepare a seed mixture of 3 parts humus, 1 part soil and 1 part sand. Such a mixture must be disinfected by steaming or freezing.

After disinfection, the soil mixture must sit for two weeks so that microbiological processes are restored. It would be good to populate it with soil microorganisms by adding vermicompost, Baikal EM-1, Agrovit before sowing.

Without any hassle, you can sow seeds in special soil for growing seedlings, for example, “Agrobalt”, “ Living earth" It has the necessary acidity, it is light, free from weed seeds and pathogens, loose, nutritious.

Sowing and caring for seedlings

Seeds for seedlings are usually sown in boxes at least 7 cm deep. The containers must be washed with hot water, disinfected with soda (10 g per liter of warm water), and dried. Only after this the soil mixture is poured into them. A few days before sowing, the soil in the boxes is moistened, and on the day of sowing it is treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. You can use Fitosporin.

The seeds are placed in grooves every 1-1.5 cm, to a depth of 1-1.5 cm. Rows are arranged every 3-4 cm. Sprinkled with earth. Having finished sowing, the surface is lightly compacted with a plank, moistened with warm water from a spray bottle and covered with film to maintain moisture.

At a temperature of 20 degrees, cabbage sprouts already on the 3-5th day. As soon as the first loops appear, the film must be urgently removed and the container moved to a light windowsill. It is advisable to provide additional light to the emerging shoots so that the seedlings do not stretch out.

Daylight hours for cabbage seedlings are extended to 16-18 hours. If it is not possible to provide additional lighting, it is recommended to sow the seeds later - in the second ten days of February.

For emerging seedlings, the temperature is reduced to 6-10 degrees within a week. You can take the seedlings out to a glassed-in loggia or place them overnight on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

But even for older seedlings, the temperature should be limited: in the sun no more than 14-18°C, on cloudy days - 12-16°C, at night no lower than 8-10 degrees. More heat contributes to the fact that seedlings stretch out, get sick longer after transplantation, and suffer from low temperatures after planting in the garden.

Elevated temperature combined with low light has a particularly negative effect on the quality of seedlings.

Picking

Seedlings with one true leaf are planted in cups (6x6 cm) filled with the same nutrient mixture as for sowing seeds. Before transplanting, the seedlings are watered with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, carefully picked up by the cotyledon leaves and planted one at a time in a glass. It is important that the roots do not bend when planting (long ones can be pinched). The seedlings are buried down to the cotyledon leaves.

After this, the seedlings are shaded for three days, and they try to make the air around them more humid. To do this, it is enough to periodically spray the seedlings with water.

Brussels sprouts seedlings in cassettes

Watering and fertilizing seedlings

Cabbage is moisture-loving, but this does not mean that the seedlings need to be flooded. Cabbage grows well only when its roots “breathe”; it cannot tolerate stagnant water. In waterlogged soil in plants

The roots rot, it is affected by the black leg and dies. But lack of moisture is also negative for plants: it retards their growth.

The planted seedlings are watered after the soil in the pots has dried. It's better to do this in the morning.

Water for irrigation should not be cold. By sharply cooling the soil, cold water reduces root activity. At this time, the leaves continue to evaporate moisture in the same way as before watering (nothing has changed for them). It turns out that after watering with cold water, less moisture begins to flow to the leaves. As a result, the seedlings weaken, grow worse, and become vulnerable to disease.
For the same reason, cold watering is undesirable for adult plants. A week before planting, the seedlings stop watering.

When 2-3 true leaves appear, the seedlings are fed: 1-2 g of Kemira-lux (or mortar) per liter of water. For 4-5 plants, 1 glass of solution is enough. Feed carefully, trying to prevent the nutrient solution from getting on the leaves.

The seedlings are fed a second time a week and a half before transplanting into open ground. 2 tsp. urea, potassium sulfate, copper sulfate and boric acid are dissolved in a bucket of water on the tip of a knife. Copper sulfate and boric acid are first diluted in hot water.

Hardening

Two weeks before transferring to a permanent location, cabbage seedlings begin to adapt to open air conditions, reducing the temperature to +5 +6 degrees and increasing the light intensity. The easiest way to meet these conditions is to “relocate” the seedlings to a balcony, loggia, veranda, or greenhouse. At first, so that the seedlings do not suffer from sunlight, they are covered with thin lutrasil.

Prevention of “black leg”

The main thing in preventing this seedling disease is not to thicken the crops, not to water the plants with cold water and not to over-moisten the soil.
It is better to immediately remove seedlings affected by black leg from the seedling box, and to prevent the disease from destroying the rest of the plants, temporarily stop watering - let the soil dry, then spill it with a solution of Alirin B (tablet for 5 liters of water) and potassium permanganate, add to the stems of the seedlings sand, ash or chalk disinfected by calcination.

Transplanting

Receipt deposit healthy harvest- this is the observance of crop rotation.

The best predecessors for cabbage are cucumbers, legumes, onions, and root vegetables.

It is advisable to grow cabbage in the same place no earlier than after 5-6 years. The area allocated for cabbage should be well lit and away from trees. If there is little light, plants become stretched, weakened and vulnerable to disease.

In order to prevent the development of bacteriosis and fungal diseases, avoid using nitrogen fertilizers in the second half of summer.
Brussels sprouts grow best in rich loamy soils. Compost is added underneath it. On poor sandy loam or heavy soils, this cabbage develops diseased and overgrown heads. Fresh manure also has a negative effect on the harvest.

The optimal temperature for the development of Brussels sprouts is 15-18 degrees. At 25 degrees and above, the formation of heads of cabbage is delayed and their quality decreases. In order for cabbage to develop as long as possible without heat, 40-50-day-old seedlings need to be planted in early dates- together with early varieties of white cabbage. With later planting dates, the yield of Brussels sprouts decreases and the quality deteriorates.
When planting seedlings, maintain a distance between rows of 70 cm, and 60 cm between adjacent plants.

Brussels sprouts grow for a long time - you can sow salads and flowers for seedlings with them (zinnias here)

Feeding

Brussels sprouts love urea and potassium chloride. Foliar feeding is best done with boric acid, molybdenum and potassium permanganate.
At the very beginning of the formation of heads of cabbage, the cabbage is fed with an infusion of bird droppings (1:15), adding a glass of ash to 10 liters of solution.
Mineral fertilizers are applied:
- in the rosette phase - 2 g of urea, 20 g of superphosphate and potassium chloride per 10 l of water, spending 0.5 l per plant,
- during intensive formation of heads of cabbage - 4 g of urea, 30 g of superphosphate and potassium chloride, or 20 g of solution, agricola per 10 liters of water (one liter per plant). On sandy soils, additional magnesium fertilizers are applied - 5 g per 10 liters of water.

Care

To speed up the ripening of heads of cabbage and increase their weight, at the end of the growing season, pinch off the tops of the shoots - approximately when the stem grows to 60-70 cm. A month before harvesting, you can also trim off the leaves of the rosette.
Brussels sprouts, unlike white cabbage and others, are lightly spudded so that the lower sprouts do not rot.

Pest protection

Preventive measures to protect cabbage from pests include the destruction of wintering pests. Considering that most of them overwinter in the top layer of soil and the pathogens of many diseases remain on plant debris and in the soil. Deep digging of the soil in the fall will greatly reduce the infectious stock and destroy the bulk of wintering pests.

In the spring, first of all, get rid of cruciferous weeds on your site (colts, redberry, shepherd's purse, etc.), on which cruciferous flea beetles, bedbugs and other insects feed, awakening after wintering.

You can reduce the harmfulness of the cabbage fly:

1. planting seedlings early,
2. if the soil within a radius of 4-5 cm from the plant is sprinkled with a mixture of tobacco dust with freshly slaked lime or ash (1:1).

Various entomophagous insects (ladybugs, lacewings, wasps, etc.) can limit the number of aphids, caterpillars, and whites. To attract entomophages on the site, it is useful to sow nectar plants: anise, fennel, dill, phacelia.

It is useful when carrots and onions bloom in the area. Cutworm caterpillars pupate in shelters near cabbage beds, so you can lay out small bundles of dry grass between the rows, into which the caterpillars readily climb. Periodically, the bundles are collected and burned.

We must not forget that plants that are resistant to diseases are less damaged by pests when they are provided with good care, regular watering, fertilizing, weeds are destroyed in a timely manner, etc.

Harvesting

In September-October, when the leaves on the plants begin to turn yellow and fall off, and the heads of cabbage acquire a specific shine, the harvest can be harvested.

• The stem is cut down at soil level, the leaves are torn off and stored in a cool place.
• Brussels sprouts, harvested with their stems, if packed in plastic bags, can be stored for about two months.
• Heads cut from the stem quickly wither.
• Frozen Brussels sprouts can be stored for 3-4 months.

If you pull the cabbage out of the garden, preserving the root system, and then dig it in a frost-free room in moist soil, you can extend the life of Brussels sprouts: at +3-5 degrees, new heads of cabbage grow due to the reserves of nutrients in the stem and leaves.

When Brussels sprouts form heads, they can withstand frosts down to minus 7 degrees. So there is no need to rush into harvesting this crop in the fall.

Varieties

The following varieties have become particularly widespread and popular among modern summer residents:

Rosella

A productive mid-season variety that grows up to 50 heads on one plant. The plant is tall - the heads are large, quite dense, of good taste. They mature together.

Variety Rosella

Dallik

Mid-late productive hybrid with high resistance to clubroot.

Casio

Also a mid-season and high-yielding variety - up to 60 heads of cabbage on each specimen.

Hercules

A late-ripening, disease-resistant widespread domestic variety. Not very dense medium heads of elongated shape.

Variety Hercules

Garnet bracelet

Mid-season hybrid of domestic selection. With a bright purple color and tasty heads, the plant grows up to 40 pieces with a total weight of 500 grams.

Variety Garnet bracelet

I wish you success in growing Brussels sprouts!

Brussels sprouts are popular with experienced gardeners and are quite easy to grow. Of all the known cabbage varieties, this one stands apart. However, in our gardens it is considered a rarity due to its peculiar capriciousness and low yield. But this is far from true.

You can grow vegetables at your dacha in open ground in the Moscow region, plant them directly from seeds, or plant seedlings first.

The plant is biennial and has a thick stem reaching a height of one meter. It bears long-petioled foliage with a multi-colored bubbly surface. The top of the stem is crowned with a leaf rosette.

By the autumn season they begin to form small loose or dense heads of cabbage, externally resembling forks of white cabbage. Their diameter is two to five centimeters; they grow on one stem. from 30 to 70 pieces.

The plant is unpretentious, frost-resistant, the growing season is 4-6 months, so it is recommended to grow the crop using the seedling method.

Cabbage has a delicious taste and contains many useful vitamins and mineral components.

Origin story

Culture is considered a variety of white cabbage, is not found in the wild in nature. Its predecessor is kale, which grows in the Mediterranean. The Brussels vegetable was bred by Belgian breeding specialists, which was the reason for its name.

Over time, the vegetable began to be grown in Western European countries, and it came to the east in the mid-nineteenth century, but did not take root due to the difficult climate. But Canadians, Americans and Westerners began to plant the crop in industrial quantities.

Beneficial features

This cabbage variety contains:

• cellulose;
• folic acid;
• proteins;
• vitamins of various groups;
• phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iodine, sodium salts;
• amino acids.

Based on this composition, the product is classified as a valuable food and medicine.

Cabbage juice has a diuretic, choleretic, hematopoietic, anticancer, antitoxic, anti-inflammatory effect, stabilizes the functioning of the pancreas, and is recommended for those suffering diabetes mellitus. Cabbage helps with wound healing after surgery.

Vegetable count gourmet food. It is used in the preparation of salads, first courses, side dishes, and can be pickled and even frozen.

The most popular varieties for growing

The most famous include:

Sowing time

It's best to sow from mid-March to early April.

For seedlings, a temperature of no higher than six degrees Celsius at night is required, and about eighteen degrees Celsius during the day. So it is better to place containers for planting on a balcony or in a greenhouse.

Seedling care

After three to five days, the first shoots appear. At this time, you should remove the plastic film from the boxes and move them to more illuminated places. To prevent the seedlings from stretching out, it is recommended to organize additional lighting.

Cabbage seedlings need abundant watering, but don’t get carried away so that the roots don’t start to rot. The soil follows constantly loosen to provide oxygen access to the root system.

Feed sprouts should be in the phase of the second - third leaves, using Kemira-lux. It is necessary to ensure that the composition does not get on the leaves. The second feeding is done a couple of weeks before transplanting. For this purpose, urea, copper sulfate, potassium sulfate, and boric acid are used.

Picking

It is performed for seedlings that have formed one true leaf. Picking scheme – "six by six" centimeters. Before transplanting, the seedlings are spilled with a weak manganese solution, then carefully seated in cups.

Make sure that the roots do not remain bent. Too long ones can be pinched.

The seedling is buried to the cotyledon leaf. The containers are placed in a shaded place for several days, the air should be moist.

Planting Brussels sprouts in open ground

Seedlings should be replanted after the sprouts have fourth - fifth leaves. As a rule, this moment falls on mid-May – mid-summer season.

The soil should be fertile, loamy. The preparation of the bed should be done in the fall - dig it up, add lime if necessary. In the spring, the site should be fertilized by adding a bucket of compost or humus to the square of the site.

For planting seedlings, holes are prepared, in each of which a small spoon of urea, two tablespoons of superphosphate, and a couple of glasses of wood ash are placed.

The planting scheme is "sixty by sixty" centimeters. The sprout is rolled over with a lump of earth, sprinkled, compacted and watered.

Rules of care

Cabbage should be fertilized urea and potassium chloride. Fertilizing with boric acid, molybdenum and manganese solution should be foliar. During the period when the ovary begins to form, infused bird droppings are added with the addition of ash.

To speed up the ripening of fruits and increase their weight at the end of the growing season, it is recommended to pinch the apical parts of the shoots. One month before harvest, the rosette leaves are cut off.

The plant should be earthed up carefully so that the lower heads of cabbage do not begin to rot. In this case, weeds should be removed. These are the basic rules for care.

Diseases and pests

In the spring from the beds it is necessary remove weeds of the cruciferous family, so as not to attract pests. To repel cabbage flies, you can sprinkle with tobacco mixed with ash or lime.

Harvest and storage

In the autumn, when the leaves turn yellow and begin to fall off, the heads of cabbage begin to shine characteristically. This indicates that harvesting can begin.

The characteristic shine of the heads of cabbage is a signal for harvesting. If you put the heads of cabbage in a bag, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

The stem is cut off at the surface of the ground, the remaining leaves are removed. If such a stem with heads of cabbage is wrapped in a bag, it can be stored in a cool place for about two months. When frozen, cabbage can be stored for up to four months.

It turns out that there is nothing complicated about growing Brussels sprouts. All that remains is to choose the most suitable variety for your region, and you can start sowing, planting this amazing and tasty plant, which will also look unusual.