Brussels Sprout 'Red Rubine'
Brussels sprouts are a long season crop, but well worth the effort. Most varieties will require around 5 months before harvest. Preferring a slightly alkaline soil, like other members of the cabbage family, prepare the ground with plenty of well rotted manure or compost. In windy gardens the plants will need to be staked as they do become top heavy. Loosely formed sprouts are a sign of too much nitrogen. Best in frosty areas, grow through summer for autumn and winter harvests. The spring flowering shoots can be eaten like broccoli and its top knot of leaves served as a mini cabbage. Prone to attack by white cabbage butterfly, control with Dipel or netting.