How to grow Brussels sprouts in the garden. How to grow Brussels sprouts? Brussels sprouts: care, photo

Brussels sprouts It looks very unusual, and requires special attention to itself. In addition, the taste is not quite familiar - a little bitter. And therefore not much spoiled by the attention of gardeners. But in vain. After all, this is a real delicacy.

Try planting this amazing vegetable in your garden. Growing Brussels sprouts is a very exciting and interesting process. In addition, you can pamper your household with new unusual and very healthy dishes.

From this article you will learn

Features of growing Brussels sprouts

How does it grow? Not every gardener knows how Brussels sprouts grow. Unlike its relative - white-headed - it grows up. And it can even reach 1 m in height! Such a giant.

At first, when the plant is just emerging and starting to grow, it looks like white cabbage - in the seedling phase for beginner summer residents, they are like twin brothers. However, then her stem and leaves begin to grow. This culture has a thick stem and long leaves. Heads of cabbage are tied and grow in the axils of these leaves. They range in size from 2 cm to 5 cm.

You can see the stages of growth in our photo.

They tightly stick around the stem, outwardly the plant is very beautiful - it resembles a miniature outlandish palm tree. Thanks to this feature, the vegetable can also be used as an ornamental crop for a vegetable bed.

Flowering cabbage occurs only in the second year. It blooms with yellow inconspicuous inflorescences. The seeds are in pods. They are brown and very small. As a rule, germinate for 4-5 years. This crop has a very long growing season. Heads of cabbage ripen, as a rule, for 120-180 days.

Which variety to choose? There are many varieties of Brussels sprouts. And since its popularity is growing from year to year, scientists are constantly deducing new ones. In general, they are divided into

  • early. Heads of cabbage ripen in about 120 days. The following varieties belong to this species: Franklin, Dolmik, Garnet bracelet;
  • mid-season. Vegetables ripen for 140-160 days. Pay attention to the varieties: Perfection, Boxer, Pomegranate, Merry Company;
  • late-ripening. Cabbage ripens in 180 days. The most popular varieties are Curl and Gruniger.

Fact! Brussels sprouts are a hardy crop. It can withstand temperatures down to -10°C.

Where to plant, choose a place

This outlandish-looking cabbage is very demanding on the choice of place and growing conditions. However, it is not difficult to satisfy all her whims. We will tell you how to grow Brussels sprouts in the country.

Rule 1

Plant only on fertile, rich in humus and humus soil. She does not like heavy clay soil in the garden. By the way, experts cite the following facts: in just 1 season, from 1 acre of land, a vegetable takes out almost 2 kg of nitrogen, the same amount of calcium and half a kilogram of phosphorus. The numbers are very impressive. Accordingly, on the poor and not fertile soil don't expect a harvest.

However, you should not use fresh manure at all stages of growth. As a result, you will only get a bunch of greens, and there will not even be any head tying.

Advice! Prepare the land for vegetables in the fall. When you dig, be sure to put rotted manure or compost (5-6 kg per 1 sq.m), as well as mineral fertilizers(2 tablespoons of potassium chloride, the same amount ammonium nitrate and superphosphate, instead of the latter, you can add 1 cup of ash).

Rule 2

The place for cabbage should be sunny and open, always protected from the wind. She loves the southern and southeastern areas.

Rule 3

Choose the right predecessors. Vegetables are best planted after potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, legumes, beets or carrots.

Planting scheme, how to plant seedlings

We plant seeds. In general, this cabbage ripens very late. That is why it is cultivated only through seedlings. It is very important to choose the right sowing time so that the sprouts have time to start.

If desired, you can soak the seeds for 12 hours in a solution of trace elements or humate. It is only necessary to dry the seeds before planting. You need to sow the seeds in boxes not too deep - about 1.5 cm. Can be sown in peat tablets. From above you need to cover with glass or polyethylene.

It is also desirable to sow the seeds at a small distance from each other - 3-4 cm. They germinate at a temperature of + 20 ° C for 4-5 days. Further growth of seedlings should take place at a temperature of + 16 ° С ... + 18 ° С during the day and + 6 ° С ... + 8 ° С at night. Otherwise, it may stretch.

We care. Care is easy:

  • water often (but do not flood!), make sure that the soil is always wet;
  • if you sowed sprouts in a large container, the seedlings need to dive. To do this, carefully remove it along with a clod of earth (before that, the plants need to be shed), slightly shorten the central root and plant it in a new container, slightly deepening. Then water a little;
  • as soon as the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, they need to be fed with such a mixture: dissolve 20 g of ammonium nitrate in a large bucket of water, be sure to add 40 g of superphosphate, as well as 10 g of potassium sulfate. Mix everything well. Repeat this feeding after 10-14 days.

Before planting sprouts in open ground, they should definitely be hardened. Remember that young seedlings should already have several true leaves, preferably 4-6. They should look healthy and strong, not stretched out.

Landing scheme. You need to plant sprouts far enough apart from each other. Choose a planting pattern of 70 cm X 70 cm. If you plant seedlings closer, this will affect the harvest, experienced gardeners say, since the vegetable will receive less light, and the cabbages will be smaller and not as tasty.

First you need to dig small holes. They need to put mineral fertilizers: 1 teaspoon of calcium nitrate, the same amount of superphosphate. You also need to add 500 g of humus and 50 g of wood ash. Experienced summer residents it is advised to plant seedlings, as if deepening it slightly. You can check the correctness of the procedure as follows: the lower leaves should be at the level of the soil.

Advice! Remember that outlandish cabbage grows magnificently and gives an excellent harvest only at low temperatures of + 15 ° С ... + 18 °.

Feeding and watering

How to care for cabbage? Caring for Brussels sprouts outdoors is easy. It needs to be watered and fertilized regularly. You also need to pinch the plants.

How often to water? This culture is very fond of watering. It should be watered especially intensively in the phase when leaves grow intensively and sprouts begin to form. You should take from 10 to 14 liters of water per 1 sq. landing meter. If the weather is rainy, the volume and frequency of watering should be reduced.

Remember that after watering the earth must be loosened to an average depth. You can mulch - so the plantings will remain wet longer. If you see that the bush is holding rather unstable, you can spud it with earth - just rake it up to the stem.

What to feed Brussels sprouts? This vegetable is very capricious in terms of feeding. Therefore, you need to fertilize often. This will only increase productivity. The first time you need to fertilize 2 weeks after you planted the seedlings in open ground. In this case, the vegetable needs nitrogen supplements, because it is very actively gaining green mass.

Prepare such a "lure": take 10 g of superphosphate, 10 g of potassium chloride and 15 g of ammonium nitrate. Dissolve all this in 10 liters of water.

The second top dressing should be carried out in the phase of formation of 15-20 leaves, when the sprouts are just beginning to tie. Now they need a completely different "lunch". In 10 liters of water you need to dissolve: 6 g of ammonium nitrate, 20 g of superphosphate and 10 g of potassium chloride.

For the second top dressing, you can use organic matter. Suitable slurry (1:4), mullein (1:6), bird droppings (1:10). Under each plant you need to pour at least 1.5 liters of the prepared mixture.

Do you need to puddle? It is not necessary to carry out special hilling, as, for example, white cabbage. This should be done only if the earth is loose and the stalk itself grows rather unstable. In this case, you just need to tease. And if necessary, install a support.

Topping

To speed up the ripening of this outlandish vegetable, such an agricultural technique as pinching, or, as gardeners also call it, topping, will help. There is nothing difficult in this procedure. Do everything step by step.

  1. As soon as the lowest heads of cabbage grow in diameter up to 1.5 cm (in different regions- these are their terms, for example, in the central one - this is the end of August), then it is necessary to remove (pinch, as they say in another way) the very top of the vegetable. You must remove the growth point. You can also remove a few leaves from the topmost rosette.
  2. A month and a half later, you can completely cut off the top of those plants on which heads of cabbage are very poorly tied.

Advice! Before pinching the plant, it is advisable to feed them with a useful infusion. To prepare it, you need to take a bucket of water and 30 g of superphosphate and potassium sulfate. Everything needs to be mixed well. Water 1.5 liters under each bush. In this case, the heads will be denser.

Ripening terms

The peculiarity of this cabbage is that it ripens unevenly, like other types of cabbage. Therefore, it is removed in stages. First, the lower ones sing, then higher ones, which are located in the middle part of the plant, and the top ones can be removed last.

To determine ripeness, pay attention to the appearance: sprouts should be dense to the touch, shiny in appearance, up to 3 cm in diameter. Approximate ripening dates: early ones can be harvested in September, mid-season - late September-early October, and later late October-early November.

Usually cabbage early varieties removed in one go. Other species - a few. First of all, the lower heads of cabbage are collected, which are at least 2 cm in diameter. Later - heads of cabbage on the middle part of the stem, and then on top. Many gardeners are wondering if it is necessary to cut off the leaves on a vegetable, experts do not advise doing this, thus they will help the cabbage to protect itself from frost in the fall.

Diseases and pests of Brussels sprouts


Question answer

Why won't Brussels sprouts tie?

There may be several reasons for this

Reason 1. Poor quality change. It so happens that seed plant crosses with its cruciferous counterparts. The result is a hybrid that does not tie heads of cabbage.

Reason 2. You overfed the plant with nitrogen. Everything has gone green. It is possible that you, on the contrary, did not feed him at all, or your land is very poor.

Reason 3. There is intense heat. This cabbage does not like this weather very much.

Reason 4. You forgot to pinch the top.

Reason 5. You are not watering the plant well.

The cabbage went into color, what should I do?

If your cabbage has bloomed, there may be several reasons. First, it is hot and dry. Usually this weather is in July. In this case, cabbage should be watered and shaded frequently.

Secondly, it is possible that you overfed the plants with organic matter. In this case, you need to stop feeding altogether.

Thirdly, you may have overgrown seedlings. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor the timing of landing. If the Brussels sprouts are blooming, cut off the flowering parts, shade, water more often.

Should Brussels sprouts have their leaves removed?

Many people ask the question: “When to pick leaves on cabbage. And is it necessary to do so? Experienced summer residents do not advise doing this. They can only be cut off if you want to keep the cabbage in the cellar. To do this, they dig it up along with the roots, break out the leaves (except for the apical ones) and dig them in the sand.

Why do leaves curl?

  • Insufficient watering and heat.
  • Pest damage (aphids and whiteflies).
  • The plant may lack minerals or, conversely, there may be an excess of them.
  • You can simply burn the plants if the proportions are not correct when preparing herbicides or fertilizers.

Why don't heads form?

This culture is rather capricious in care and cultivation requirements. She does not like heat and dryness, when she is overfed or underfed. In this case, heads may not form. And don't forget to pinch the top.

IMPORTANT! * when copying article materials, be sure to indicate

Brussels sprouts are the stalk in rosebuds, something like this original vegetable is called in Germany. tall stem(from 0.3 to 1.5 m) densely strewn with miniature green cabbage heads resembling thick roses. One copy can tie up to 60 heads of cabbage, eloquent photos of plants testify to this. This article is all about growing Brussels sprouts outdoors, proper fit, sowing seeds, care activities.

Cabbage from Brussels - how to plant correctly

Brussels sprouts are not found in the wild on our planet - this species was bred by artificial crossing in Belgium, the cabbage got its name in honor of the Belgian capital. Before today Belgians are full of pride in their national vegetable culture.

Growing Brussels sprouts requires a number of agrotechnical measures. The culture requires planting in well-lit areas with drained soil, while it is necessary to provide the plants with dosed, not plentiful watering. In the hot summer months, cabbage is watered more abundantly.
Loamy soil saturated with organic matter is suitable for cultivation, in terms of acidity - with a neutral or weak alkaline reaction.

Brussels sprout seedlings

The optimal air temperature for a rich harvest of Brussels sprouts is from +18 to +22 C, but the plants are able to withstand some temperature drops, even short-term frosts.

When growing cabbage, it is very important to follow the rules of crop rotation. It is forbidden to plant a crop after vegetable crops belonging to the cruciferous family (turnip, radish, radish, other types of cabbage).

The soil for planting crops begins to be prepared immediately after the harvest of the current year. In autumn, deep digging of beds for cabbage is carried out, at the same time they fill the soil with organic fertilizers. The site is dug deep and organic top dressing is applied.

Behind winter period the area for planting Brussels sprouts is saturated with moisture, so in early spring carry out surface loosening of the soil, make chicken manure at the rate of 0.15 kg per 1 sq.m.

Brussels sprout care

Brussels sprouts thrive best in clean, loosened beds, so during the growing season of the plant, weed removal is carried out several times. Loosen the soil for better aeration of the roots. If the beds are heavy soil, when planting it is strongly compacted. Heavy soil adversely affects the growth of Brussels sprouts, untimely loosening leads to significant losses of seedlings and young plants.

Advice! When loosening the soil, hilling plants should be avoided, because the largest heads of cabbage are tied in the axils of the lower leaves.

Behind summer period several waterings of beds with Brussels sprouts should be carried out.

Advice! To increase the yield of cabbage, an agricultural technique is used - topping (removing the tops of cabbage stems). Riding is held at the end of August or the first decade of September.

Top dressing

When planting seedlings of cabbage in open ground, it is allowed to add to each well complex fertilizer, if such top dressing was not carried out, 2 weeks after planting, they are applied per 1 sq. m nutrients in the mixture:

  • nitrogen fertilizers - up to 3 g;
  • phosphoric - up to 2 g;
  • potassium - up to 3 g.

The plant must be tied to a support immediately after planting.

The dry mixture is embedded in the soil with a hoe to a depth of 10 cm, while maintaining a distance of about 10 cm from the plant stem.

In addition to a mixture of dry fertilizers, successfully applied aqueous solutions bird droppings or mullein. An excellent effect is observed when watering cabbage with infusion of green mass of weeds.

How to propagate Brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts can be sown from mid-March to April. Planting holes are pre-prepared at a distance of 12 to 15 cm. The acceleration of seed germination is achieved by creating a greenhouse effect - it is useful to cover the planting with a film.

Thinning and planting of young seedlings is carried out when the plants reach 12 cm. When planting in beds, it should be borne in mind that one plant will need a plot about 60 x 50 cm in size for normal development.

Advice! Between seedlings it is worth leaving a distance of at least 90 cm.

Tall varieties of Brussels sprouts require support, so when planting in the hole, you should immediately put the support pegs. Planted seedlings are immediately watered abundantly.

What causes Brussels sprouts: pests and crop infections

The cabbage family cannot boast of the absence of pests and diseases. Classic diseases characteristic of the cruciferous family are also dangerous for Brussels sprouts. Learn more about infections and pests:

  • Fusarium wilt- dangerous fungal infection, with the defeat of which the leaves begin to turn yellow and wither. Can cause disease weather especially sudden changes in temperature. Some things can help reduce your risk preventive measures agrotechnical nature - alternating plantings of colza and cabbage. With a strong infection should be dealt with with the help of chemicals.

Tying Brussels sprouts

  • Wet weather causes powdery mildew. The leaves are covered with a white coating, under which the leaves turn brown, dry out and fall off. In adverse weather, it is worth covering the planting with a film. Viral infections localized between the veins of the sheets, yellow spots pour out there, gradually merging into monolithic spots. The plant dies quickly, there is no treatment - it is required to remove the cabbage stems from the beds, it is better to burn them.
  • quila- a terrible disease when plants begin to dry out in warm, dry weather. Diagnosis of the disease will help the type of dug out root - in diseased plants, twisted roots with characteristic swellings. Plants are removed from the garden. 3-4 years is not recommended to plant on these beds cultivated plants cruciferous family.
  • Brussels sprouts are harmed by caterpillars, Maybug larvae, Medvedka, cabbage fly and different kinds scoop. The invasion of small gray-green aphids annoys cabbage bushes. To combat these pests, special preparations should be used in a certain dosage.

Growing Brussels sprouts: video

Brussels sprouts in the open field: photo



Modern dachas and gardens boast a wide variety of plants. Someone grows melons, someone grows tomatoes and cucumbers, but sometimes you can see an unexpected guest - Brussels sprouts. This vegetable looks rather unusual, but its benefits can hardly be exaggerated. Growing Brussels sprouts is a troublesome business, but is it really possible to frighten summer residents hardened by adversity with small difficulties? And if the gardener approaches the task, armed necessary knowledge, it turns out that it is not so difficult. And 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. History reference

Brussels sprouts grow only at home. There is no wild type of this culture. The first descriptions of an unusual vegetable were made by Carl Linnaeus. He gave the name to the culture, since it was bred by Belgian gardeners near Brussels. Thanks to useful 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 did not give a stable harvest before, and did not take root in the gardens. Our summer residents preferred to plant a solid and productive white vegetable.

Brussels sprouts are completely different from other types. This is biennial plant with cross pollination. In the first year of growth, it forms a stem, the height of which can reach 60 cm. Medium-sized leaves on long petioles grow on the sides of the stem. In the deciduous sinuses, small heads of cabbage are formed. One plant can produce about 40 small heads. In the second year, the plant throws out flowering shoots and forms 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 increased content amino acids and proteins. In fact, this vegetable is not inferior to milk and meat in terms of protein composition. There are 3 times more vitamins and mineral compounds in Brussels sprouts than in white varieties. In its raw form, the product contains large quantities 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.

Due to the rich biochemical composition, this type of vegetable can become an indispensable food product. As well as a component of many dietary supplements and medicines. People who regularly use this product are less prone to seasonal colds and beriberi. beneficial effect this vegetable on the body is fully felt by the cores. Since it strengthens blood vessels and improves the functioning of the heart muscle.

Brussels sprouts are delicious and healthy

Growing from seeds

The first question of any gardener is how and when to plant a crop? The fact is that the seeds of Brussels sprouts are able to start growing at a temperature of +2 ° C. The germination of seeds is quite high. Adult plants tolerate frosts well, they can withstand even at a temperature of minus 10 ° C. But at least 150 days pass from seed germination to the first harvest. This means that you can not do without growing seedlings.

It is best to sow seedlings in early April. In the country, it is best to do this in a heated greenhouse, at home - on a glazed balcony or loggia. Comfortable environment for sowing - high humidity (up to 70%) and positive temperature (at least 3-4 degrees of heat at night). The seeds will hatch on the fourth or fifth day. To grow strong seedlings, they must be sown at a distance of at least four centimeters, and the planting depth is 2 cm.

The next stage in the preparation of 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 35 to 60 days. This usually depends on the ambient temperature, and the variety of seed selected. After this time, seedlings can be planted in open ground. By this time the plant should have 4-6 true leaves.

In order for plants to get enough nutrients, were strong and strong, it is desirable to plant in the ground according to the 60x60 cm pattern. If these tips are followed, the cultivation and care of Brussels sprouts discussed in the article can give a high yield.

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

Garden preparation and care

An 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 lettuce.

These same crops take root well between small-sized beds during the garden season. mixed landings look good and protect each other from pests.

Even if chic seedlings were obtained, it is necessary to choose the right place and prepare the soil. This process begins in the fall. Beds on personal plot or a dacha they dig up and enrich with mineral fertilizers. For more than two years, culture is not grown in one place. Since pests and various pathogens can accumulate in the soil. Next landing small cabbage is acceptable 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 are able to tolerate small flaw water. 10 days after planting in the ground, it is advisable to feed the plant. The second top dressing will be necessary at the stage of laying the crop.

Brussels sprouts love to grow in the sun.

For top dressing use complex mineral or organic fertilizers(under one plant 1-2 liters are brought). If the gardener allows an excess of nitrogen in the soil, then the vegetative mass of the plant will grow, but the quality of the crop will deteriorate.

One of the tricks of 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 culture is watered about ten times. Plants do not require hilling, as the formation of cabbage heads begins at the base of the stem.

Harvest and storage

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

The collection of small heads of cabbage is carried out selectively. This happens from early October until late autumn. Finally, the plant is removed after the onset of a steady cooling. Stems with small stalk are cut off and folded or dropped into wet sand for storage in a cold room. So the harvest can be stored 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, its 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 getting a good harvest is to choose seeds the right kind Brussels sprouts. In the Moscow region, you can choose mid-season and late options, and in the Urals - mid-season varieties(early varieties of culture do not exist).

The best varieties for the Middle Strip 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, giving heads weighing up to 17 g.
  • Rosella, a variety bred by breeders in Germany. Heads 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 heating of the soil for planting seeds. Since the temperatures are lower here, the landing 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 of cabbage

The Hercules variety has proven itself well in the dachas and gardens of Russia and Ukraine. This is the development of the All-Russian Research Institute of Selection. The variety looks very presentable, sprouts are arranged in a cone on the stem of the plant. Variety Hercules refers to late-ripening varieties and has good frost resistance.

When the gardener manages to determine which varieties are best for his dacha or home garden, there are no more difficulties with growing. The main thing is to sow the seeds for seedlings in time, and plant them on the beds when they reach a certain type and size.

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

Usually a person devotes his free time to growing vegetables and fruits in order 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 don’t want to refuse to grow it. It would not be very bad if every housewife had dishes from healthy and tasty Brussels sprouts on the menu.

Growing Brussels sprouts is a process available to any gardener. If you have already mastered the handling of the rest of the cruciferous, and, for example, White cabbage grows well in your area, then there should not be any problems with her "large" relative.

This one has extraordinary useful culture containing huge reserves of vitamin C, protein and minerals, there is one important feature She is extremely slow. It will take almost half a year from sowing to harvest, so if you want to include cabbage in your diet in the summer, it is better to choose kale, broccoli or cauliflower.

How to sow Brussels sprouts

Keeping in mind that from sowing to ripening, different varieties Brussels sprouts take from 130 to 180 days, and given the climate of your region, you need to choose the dates for sowing seeds. For example, if you live in middle lane and purchased late Brussels sprouts, then you need to deal with seedlings in early April.

Brussels sprouts love cool weather and don't sprout in hot weather, so choose your planting time so that the ripening period falls between average daily temperature not higher than 18-20°C.

Preparing seeds for sowing

For processing you will need:

  • for 20 minutes, immerse the seeds in water heated to a temperature of 50 ° C;
  • then refrigerate immediately running water within 1-2 minutes;
  • soak for 12 hours in a solution of Kornevin or Epin;
  • rinse and put in the refrigerator for a day (box for vegetables);
  • dry the seeds so that they do not stick to your fingers during sowing.

Sowing Brussels sprouts for seedlings

Brussels sprouts should be sown in separate pots with a mixture of sod land, peat and sand (in equal proportions). Before sowing, 3-4 tablespoons are added to the soil. wood ash and 0.5 tbsp. superphosphate per 1 kg of the mixture. If planting is done in large containers, then the distance between the seeds should be at least 4 cm.

The seeds are deepened by 1.5 cm, moistened, and then the container with them is taken out to the balcony. For best quality seedlings, the air temperature during the day should not be higher than 16-18 ° C, and at night about 5-6 ° C, in addition, the room should be quite humid (about 70%).

The first 2 weeks, the seedlings are not watered, and then they begin to ensure that the soil is always slightly moist, without flooding, but without overdrying it. In the phase of development of cotyledon leaves, cabbage must be dived into separate containers, if necessary, cutting the main root. This should be done after watering the seedlings, and together with a clod of earth.

How to feed seedlings of Brussels sprouts

Brussels sprout seedlings are fed twice during the growing period, and watered abundantly after each feeding. The first time this is done is when 2 true leaves develop on the seedlings. To prepare the mixture, 40 g of superphosphate, 20 g of ammonium nitrate and 10 g of potassium sulfate are dissolved in 10 liters of water. The second time (after 2 weeks) the solution is changed. Now, for 10 liters of water, you need to add 60 g of superphosphate, 30 g of ammonium nitrate and 20 g of potassium sulfate.

Planting seedlings of Brussels sprouts in the ridge

Seedlings are considered ready to move to permanent place when it develops 4-5 true leaves. Most often this happens by the end of May or the beginning of June.

Preparation of Brussels sprouts for planting begins 2 weeks before the action itself. Gradually (from 30 minutes a day) the stay of seedlings in the open air is brought up to a day and only then they are planted. 4-5 days before planting, the seedlings are no longer watered, and a few hours before the procedure, the soil is abundantly moistened with water.

For planting Brussels sprouts in the ground, it is better to choose a cloudy day or spend it in the evening, when direct sunlight no longer falls on the ridge.

Brussels sprouts grow and bear fruit most actively on fertile soils with a pH of 6.7-7.4, as well as in illuminated areas. For her, you need to choose a place where cruciferous plants, tomatoes and beets have not grown in the last 4 years. In the spring, a ridge dug up and deoxidized from autumn is brought in a bucket of compost or humus per 1 sq.m, and 2 cups of wood ash, 2 tbsp are added to each well. superphosphate and 1 tsp. urea.

Cabbage is placed according to the scheme 60 × 60 cm, while the holes should be slightly larger than the seedling pot. The seedlings are transferred along with a clod of earth, sprinkled with soil, compacted and spilled abundantly.

Brussels sprout care

Growing Brussels sprouts is practically no different from growing white cabbage. True, there are some features. So, for example, the Brussels sprout does not need hilling, because it leads to decay of the lower heads of cabbage, and sometimes the entire stem.

When and how to feed Brussels sprouts

Fertilizing your Brussels sprouts increases your chances of not only good harvest, but also on healthy plants, so you should not skip feeding. In total, during the growing time on the ridges, this crop needs 2 mineral supplements, but if you grow it on fertile soil, you can do with only one.

How to water Brussels sprouts

This culture is moisture-loving and responsive to watering. They need to be carried out every week, spending 30-35 liters of water per 1 sq.m before the appearance of sprouts, and 40-45 liters after they begin to form.

After watering, the cabbage must be loosened and rid of weeds. During periods of rain or high humidity the frequency of watering should be reduced and water stagnation should not be allowed in the root zone of plants.

Brussels sprout pests and diseases

In this, Brussels sprouts are also similar to all other cruciferous ones - they suffer from the same diseases and are afraid of the same pests. Of the insects on plantings, you can most often find cruciferous flea, cabbage leaf beetle, cabbage and sprout fly, wavy and black flea, cabbage white, moth, aphids and moths, cabbage and rapeseed bugs, bears, scoops, wireworms and rapeseed beetles.

The most common diseases of Brussels sprouts are clubroot, white and dry rot, black leg, black and ring spot, false powdery mildew, vascular and mucous bacteriosis and mosaic.

How to Protect Brussels Sprouts

Preventing diseases and insect infestations is always cheaper than fighting them. Therefore, in order to protect your Brussels sprouts, do not forget about a number of measures:

  • observe crop rotation, do not plant cruciferous plants on the same ridge for several years in a row;
  • remove all plant debris from the ridges;
  • do not lay diseased plants in compost, but take them out or burn them;
  • regularly remove weeds from the ridges;
  • don't miss mineral supplements and don't replace them with organic ones alone;
  • at the first sign of the disease, remove the affected plant, and spill the soil under it with a pink solution of potassium permanganate;
  • regularly pollinate plants and ridges with wood ash or its mixture with tobacco dust;
  • in case of mass attacks of pests, use insecticides Ambush, Decis, Karate, Rovikurt, Korsar, etc.;
  • when signs of fungal diseases appear, treat the plantings with fungicides Quadris, Fundazol, Skor, Topaz according to the instructions.

Harvesting and storing Brussels sprouts

The first sprouts on Brussels sprouts ripen within 3 months after planting them in the ground, but this is not a reason to rush to harvest. Negative temperatures only benefit the taste of cabbage, besides, they do not affect the content of vitamins and nutrients in it, so harvesting can be safely postponed until the cold weather.

3-3.5 weeks before harvesting the cabbage, cut the top of it and remove all the leaves so that the forces go to the ripening of the fruit. Remove gradually the lower fruits, leaving the upper one to "reach". Wait until the thermometer falls below -6°C, but does not reach -10°C - at this time, the cabbages are most suitable for collection for storage.

For different terms and storage options cut Brussels sprouts in different ways:

  • for long-term storage in the subfield, dig up the cabbage with the root, cut off the leaves for it and dig in the boxes with the ground, pushing the plants tightly to each other;
  • for storage in hanging or on the shelves, cut off the stem above the ground, cut off the leaves and top, and dry the stems with heads of cabbage and take them to a permanent place;
  • also sprouts on the stem can be wrapped in a film and stored in the refrigerator for up to 1.5 months;
  • cut cabbages are stored for the longest time in freezing after preliminary blanching or without it.

The best varieties of Brussels sprouts

If you do not know which type of Brussels sprouts to choose, focus primarily on the climate of your region and such an indicator as the ripening period. If your summer is short, choose early maturing varieties, if there is enough time before the cold weather, you can experiment with mid- and late-ripening ones.

early ripe brussels sprouts(maturing period up to 130 days): Garnet bracelet, Dolmik, Isabella, Casio, Commander, Rosella, Rudnef, Franklin.

Mid-season varieties of Brussels sprouts(maturing period from 130 to 150 days): Diamond, Boxer, Funny company, Pomegranate, Hercules, Dauer Riesen, Perfection.

Late ripening Brussels sprouts(maturing period from 150 to 180 days): Grüniger, Curl.

Now that you know everything about growing Brussels sprouts, all you have to do is buy the seeds and be patient. Perhaps this season you will have a new favorite among vegetables.

Foreword

Brussels sprout seedlings are grown by many gardeners in our country. This biennial culture is one of the most frost-resistant and undemanding plants. In addition, the vegetable is one of the long-ripening species. How to grow seedlings sown earlier - consider the breeding process in detail.

To get and grow vegetable seedlings, you need to plant seeds. best time for this will be the period from the second decade of March to the first decade of April. The main problem that gardeners face is the need to provide seedlings with a suitable night temperature. At night, it should be at 6–7 ° C, while during the day the temperature regime at 15–16 ° C is considered optimal. Concerning suitable place for young seedlings there will be a heated greenhouse or a glazed balcony. Avoid sudden changes in air humidity. Keep this indicator at 70%.

Harvesting Brussels sprouts

Before planting the seeds, warm them in hot water for 20 minutes. After that, the seed is dipped into cold water, and then about 10 hours is kept in a solution of potassium permanganate. After that, rinse the seeds and place them in a refrigerator box for 24 hours. Dry the seeds at the end. Brussels sprouts should be sown in containers with soil to a depth of no more than 2 cm. A mixture of the following components is suitable as soil for sowing:

  • 1 part wood ash;
  • 1 part sand;
  • 1 part of sod land;
  • 1 part peat;
  • 100 g of mineral fertilizers.

Before planting, be sure to spray the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate. When sowing, keep the distance between the seeds. The distance should not be less than 5 cm. After sowing, cover the container with glass. The first shoots, as a rule, appear already on the fifth day. Immediately after this, the glass must be removed, and adhere to temperature regime described above.

In order for Brussels sprouts to grow quickly, they need to be watered regularly and the soil loosened. The soil with seedlings must always be kept moist. At the same time, it is impossible to overmoisten the soil so that the seedlings do not get sick with a black leg. The first 15 days after the emergence of seedlings, it is not necessary to water the soil. After that, moisten the seedlings as needed.

In the land prepared earlier for sowing, the culture is grown until two cotyledon leaves appear on the stems. As soon as they are formed, you can start picking seedlings. This is very milestone cultivation of Brussels sprouts - it allows the roots of plants to grow and develop before transplanting into open ground.

Young cabbage seedlings before planting

Immediately before picking into separate containers, treat the soil with seedlings with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Once the soil has absorbed the product, gently grasp the seedling at the base of the stem and carefully remove it, along with earthy clod. After that, place the plants in a separate pot. If there is such a need, then you can shorten the central root. After transplanting, plants need to be fed. Fertilizers should be applied no earlier than the appearance of 2 true leaves on the stem. For fertilizer, prepare a solution of:

  • 30 g of superphosphate;
  • 15 g of potassium sulfate;
  • 25 g of ammonium nitrate;
  • 9 liters of water.

After 15 days, fertilization must be repeated. To do this, 65 g of superphosphate, 25 g of potassium sulfate and 40 g of ammonium nitrate are diluted in 10 liters of water. After each top dressing, the soil must be watered with settled warm water. About 15 days before picking into open soil, plants begin to harden off. To do this, pots with seedlings must be taken out into the street. At first, keep them outside for an hour, after 2-3 days, increase the time spent in the air to 90 minutes.

Many novice gardeners think: “I already long time I grow culture. When will the time come to transplant it into open soil? The answer is very simple - vegetables are planted when they reach 5 true leaves. Typically, this occurs between the end of May and mid-June, although the time may vary depending on the specific region. Brussels sprouts "love" sunny areas in the southern part of the garden. It is very good if before that carrots, potatoes or green manure sprouted in the garden. At the same time, if beets, tomatoes and daikon were bred on the site, then seedlings can dive here no earlier than after 3 years.

Planting Brussels sprouts in the ground

A week before planting the plants in open ground, you need to stop watering them. Immediately before picking, moisten the seedlings abundantly.

The soil for seedlings should be loamy. The picking site must be prepared in the fall. To do this, the soil is dug up to the depth of a shovel. If the earth is too acidic, then lime must be added to it. In spring, the soil needs to be fertilized. To do this, for each m 2, add a bucket of humus or compost. When transplanting, it is required to throw in a teaspoon of urea, superphosphate and 1 glass of wood ash into each well.

For picking this culture, as well as for, it is best to choose cloudy days, or do the procedure in the evening, immediately after sunset. When working, keep a distance between the holes of 50 cm. The row spacing should be at least 60 cm. The depth of the holes should be slightly greater than the length of the roots of the seedlings.

When it is very important to follow a few rules. Firstly, the bed should be regularly sprinkled with wood ash - this will protect the bushes from the cruciferous flea. There are funds to deposit step by step algorithm. The first time this is done a month after picking into open soil. Sprinkle the soil a second time after another 4 weeks. The third stage is performed after a month. Plants do not need to be hilled, as side heads suffer from this. 2 weeks before harvest, pinch and trim the tops of the stems. rosette leaves. This will help the heads of cabbage gain the desired weight.

Brussels sprout seedling nutrition

This culture is distinguished by the need for regular watering. During the vegetative development, the bushes need to be watered at least 10 times. In this case, the water consumption should be 20-30 liters per m 2. If it often rains outside, then watering should be reduced or stopped for a while. Also pay close attention to feeding. The first time mineral fertilizers are applied a week after planting in open ground. In this case, you should spend 1 tablespoon of nitrophoska for every two bushes. The second time top dressing is applied after the appearance of heads of cabbage on the stems. To do this, dissolve 30 g of potassium sulfate, 40 g of superphosphate in a bucket of water and add 1 tablespoon of nitroammofoska. When top dressing, use 100 ml of solution for each bush.

Vegetable pests - how to protect your garden?

Almost all cruciferous cultures have common enemies. Among the latter, it is necessary to highlight the cruciferous flea, sprout and cabbage fly, babanukha and . These insects are considered the most dangerous due to their number and effect on the bushes. So, a flea can destroy half of the crop from the garden in a matter of days, eating leaves suitable for human consumption.

To protect your garden, first of all, you need to take preventive measures. These include strict adherence to all the rules for planting and growing vegetables, timely cleaning of weeds and loosening the soil. Also, for preventive purposes, we advise you to plant coriander, potatoes, dill or tomatoes around the perimeter of the beds. They will help repel insects. If this did not help to prevent the appearance of pests, then you need to try to cope with them with folk remedies. Hazardous chemicals are used only as a last resort.

Among folk remedies crushed pepper comes out wood ash and slaked lime. By pouring them into the aisles, you can scare pests away from your garden for a long time. We also recommend using naphthalene in the amount of 50 mg per 5 m 2. Remember that cabbage pests do not tolerate watering. Therefore, do not allow the beds to dry out and moisten the soil in time.

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