Growing and caring for Brussels sprouts according to all the rules

Small, dense, aesthetic-looking heads of Brussels sprouts are an integral part of modern cooking. A special, rich taste makes it desirable on any table and decorates both first and second courses. And in terms of the content of vitamins and minerals, it exceeds the usual white cabbage by 3-4 times. However, not many gardeners decide to plant it on their site. Meanwhile, Brussels sprouts, their cultivation and care do not require much effort and cost.

Popular varieties

Distinguish between traditional varieties and F1 hybrids. Brussels sprouts of traditional varieties are distinguished by larger cocks with better taste characteristics. Their harvesting period lasts longer, but ripe heads of cabbage open quickly. Several varieties are especially popular among this group. For example, Bedford-Fillbasket and Bedford-Asmer Monitor are suitable for growing in small areas, with particularly large heads and tall stems. But Noisette and Roodnerf-Early Buttons, Roodnerf-Seven Hills have a smaller harvest size, but with a brighter nutty taste, in addition, their fruits remain firm for a long time, even after cutting. Rubine red varieties are gaining popularity. They are used both cooked and raw in various salads due to their delicate and mild taste.

The F1 hybrids obtained as a result of free crossing are increasingly used in the cultivation of Brussels sprouts, as they give a greater number of heads of cabbage, with relatively low stems. In addition, their maturation occurs almost simultaneously, while the coots are located along the entire height of the stem and remain tightly folded for several weeks. The most popular among hybrids Peer gynt and Oliver, early and medium fruiting, the first ovaries are formed in September, and in mid-October - early November, you can already harvest. Citadel is distinguished among others by its dark fruits, which are best for freezing, and a short stem. One of the best late varieties Dolmic and Rampart, they are not demanding on the soil, they are resistant to frost and many diseases; after boiling, cabbage does not have the bitterness characteristic of this culture. The Sherif hybrid has a high yield, uniform size, small heads of cabbage with high taste.

Growing

Cabbage seeds germinate at a temperature of 3-4C, and at 17-19C, seedlings appear on day 3-4. The culture, in comparison with the white one, is more cold-resistant, withstands frosts down to -7-12C. At 24-26C in shading, plant formation is noticeably delayed and the quality of the crop decreases. Brussels sprouts are sown from April 9-13, choosing well-lit, dry areas, under film or glass. It is desirable that potatoes, carrots, onions, cucumbers, cereals, legumes, or green manures were grown on them before. The plant will develop poorly in areas where its predecessors were tomatoes, beets, radishes, radishes, turnips. Re-planting cabbage in the same place is possible only after 4-5 years. Seedlings in open ground are planted from the beginning of June until the middle of May, no later, otherwise the harvest will have to be unripe.

Soil preparation and sowing

The soil for planting is prepared from the fall of the previous year. The site is dug deeply and organic fertilizers (humus, compost, mullein) are applied in the amount of 1.5-2 buckets per square meter.For the winter, it remains open for drinks with moisture when the snow melts. In early spring, with the onset of a positive temperature, the soil is shallowly loosened by 3.5-5.5 cm and 120-150 g of chicken manure per 1 sq. M. Is introduced.

Seeds of Brussels sprouts are sown from mid-March, early April, in holes 10-13 cm deep, at a distance of 12-16 cm from each other. So that they germinate, the planting is covered with cellophane. When the seeds begin to germinate, 2-3 thinning is carried out, leaving the more vigorous and giving them space for further development.

Seedling planting

Saplings are planted when they reach 12-16 cm in height. When planting, it should be borne in mind that one plant will need a site measuring 60-70 cm wide and 50-60 cm long. Therefore, there should be at least 90-120 cm between the plants. The day before direct planting at the place of ripening, the seedlings are watered abundantly. Plant it in such a way that the lower leaves are slightly above the soil level. Since this is a rather tall culture, a support is installed immediately or as it grows, on which the trunk is tied so that strong winds do not damage it.

Care

To harvest the best quality crop, pinch the top of the plant during the heading period. The soil in the root zone is regularly and shallowly loosened and mulched with sawdust or straw in a layer of 6-8 cm. From the second week of September, the upper part of the plant is pruned so that all the nutrients go to the formation and growth of the crop. It should be borne in mind that such manipulations reduce the frost resistance of cabbage.

Just like ordinary white cabbage, Brussels sprouts require timely fertilization and regular watering. It is worth noting that their excess makes the heads of cabbage loose and unsuitable for human consumption. If the plant lacks nitrogen, after a period of rains, the leaves of the lower tier turn yellow and fall off.

Inter-row processing

Since Brussels sprouts are slow-growing plants, it is advisable to sow the aisles with cucumbers, beans or green manure. Regular inter-row cultivation is an integral part of plant maintenance. It provides a favorable water-air regime necessary for full growth and development.

During the summer period, about 6-7 loosening is carried out, clearing the planting of weeds. The first is especially important, because after planting the soil is strongly compacted. If you delay and loosen the soil later, growth retardation and increased plant loss may occur, especially on heavy soils. In this case, in place of the dead seedlings, the one that is left in reserve is planted within a week. When planting potted seedlings, the first loosening is carried out the next day after planting, with potless seedlings - after 3-4 days. This culture does not require hilling, since the largest heads of cabbage form in the axils of the lower leaves and cannot be covered with soil.

Watering and feeding

The first post-planting top dressing is carried out 12-16 days after planting, the subsequent one during the formation of heads of cabbage. On well-fertilized areas with organic matter, you can limit yourself to the application of nitrogen-containing fertilizers after planting, and when the first ovaries are formed, not a large amount of potassium salts. On soddy-podzolic soil, with low fertility, 7-10 g of urea or ammonium nitrate, 10-15 g of superphosphate, 5-8 g of sulfate or potassium chloride per 1 sq. M. Fertilizers are placed relative to the plant at a distance of 9-12 cm, to a depth of 10-12 cm.

The second time, 10-14 g of ammonium nitrate, 10-16 g of superphosphate, and 8-10 g of potassium chloride are applied, placing fertilizers in the middle of the row spacing to a depth of 12-15 cm. Kemir. When sieving a dry mixture, it is immediately embedded in the ground using a hoe, after which the aisles are shallowly loosened.

Over the summer, planting is watered 3-4 times, and on heavy soils, the number of irrigations is increased to 5-6.

Harvesting

Depending on the variety, the crop is harvested from early to mid-October to November in several visits, since not all heads of cabbage when growing Brussels sprouts reach removable maturity at the same time. A slight frost only improves its taste. Fresh dense heads of cabbage can be stored for quite a long time in a cool place. For a longer shelf life, the cabbage is frozen. At the same time, it does not at all lose its positive properties.

Video "Growing Brussels sprouts"

This video tells about the nuances of care when growing Brussels sprouts to get more harvest, about the beneficial properties of the plant.