Contents:
- Brussels sprouts - requirements
- Brussels sprouts - crop rotation
- How to fertilize Brussels sprouts?
- Care treatments in the cultivation of Brussels sprouts
- Brussels sprouts - good neighborhood
- Brussels sprouts - harvesting and storage
Brussels sprouts are mainly grown from seedlings. The best date for sowing seeds is from mid-March to the beginning of April. We produce seedlings in a heated greenhouse at a temperature of 0-5oC at night and around 15oC during the day. Place the plants in a permanent place at the beginning of June at a distance of 60-70 x 70 cm.
Brussels sprouts - requirements
Brussels sprouts are not only resistant to low temperatures, but their proper development depends on the cold. The optimal temperature when tying the heads is about 12 ° C. Harvesting Brussels sprouts is best done in winter, because when the heads are frozen, they are tastier and more delicate.
The stand for this cabbage must be well insolated, and the soil is fairly light and fertile, with a pH of 6.5-7.0. Brussels sprouts also have a high demand for moisture both in the air and in the soil. However, it does not tolerate too heavy and wet soils.
Brussels sprouts - crop rotation
Brussels sprouts are grown as the main crop. The forecrop for it can consist of vegetables quickly leaving the field, such as lettuce or radish. Tomatoes, beans and cucumbers are also good pre-crops to limit the development of cabbage syphilis. Avoid planting Brussels sprouts after other brassicas due to the risk of transmitting diseases specific to this family
How to fertilize Brussels sprouts?
The most advantageous is the use of organic fertilizers - compost or green fertilizers. Brussels sprouts are well grown in the first or second year after manure. In addition to organic, complementary mineral fertilization is necessary. Nitrogen preparations should be used with caution, as a high dose causes the formation of a large number of loose heads. It can also cause browning.
Care treatments in the cultivation of Brussels sprouts
Regular watering, weeding and loosening the soil are the basic care treatments for Brussels sprouts.Unlike other cabbage, Brussels sprouts require leaf removal and topping so that the heads mature simultaneously throughout the plant. What is topping? It is simply removing the top of the growth to limit the growth of the plant and obtain an even and higher yield. The best date for this treatment is at the turn of September and October.
Brussels sprouts - good neighborhood
Good neighborhoods for Brussels sprouts are: tomatoes, celery, lettuce, spinach, radishes, turnips, beans, peas, garlic, shallots, asparagus. In the inter-rows it is advantageous to plant spices such as basil, thyme, peppermint, hyssop, caraway and coriander. The favorable vicinity of plants will help us to naturally fight brassica pests such as cabbage and wireworms.
Harvesting and storage of Brussels sprouts
We start harvesting Brussels sprouts in autumn and finish even in January.Ready-for-harvest heads should be compact, dark green and 1.5-3.5 cm in diameter. After harvesting, they cannot be stored for too long. Up to 10 weeks under certain conditions - at a temperature of -2 to -3 ° C and 90% air humidity.
