Brussels Sprouts

Type: Vegetable

Rotation Group: 4, Brassicas


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CRISPUS F1

This is an early to mid-season hybrid with good resistance to club foot. The brussel sprouts are smooth and dark green and are borne on tall plants that stand in good condition for several weeks. They have a wonderful flavour. Sow in spring for an autumn harvest.
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CASCADE F1

This is the brussel sprout for Christmas lunch. Lovely, tasty, smooth, dark green, firm buttons cropping from November to February. Produced by a plant that is a sturdy choice for exposed sites and is hardy throughout the UK.
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BITESIZE F1

A unique hardy variety that produces small dark green 'bitesize' buttons that are about half the size of standard sprouts. Cropping from November, they have a great texture and flavour, and will hold at this baby size until late January.
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ARUNDEL F1

The firm, fairly large buttons are packed tightly round the stem to give a high yield and, despite their size, are remarkably mild and sweet, with not a hint of bitterness. Plenty of really tasty sprouts from this exclusive early to mid-season, vigorous sprout.

Site, Soil and Preparation

Brussel Sprouts like a fertile, well draining, moisture retentive, firm soil. The main crop beds should be dug over and firmed a few months before planting.

Indoor Sowing

Seed can be sown undercover in root trainers or 75mm (3in) pots at a depth of 10mm (1/2in) to minimise disturbance of roots. Sow seed from February to April.

Outdoor Sowing

Sow seed thinly in a prepared seed bed at a depth of 10mm (1/2in). Sow seed from February to April.

Thinning

Thin plants during transplantation to final growing position.

Transplanting

When seedlings are 100mm (4in) tall transplant from March onwards to their outdoor positions and plant at spacings of 450mm (1 1/2ft) apart.

Care

Place cabbage collars around seedlings to prevent attack from cabbage root fly. Water plants well, especially during hot spells.

Harvest

Picking Brussels sprouts should begin when the sprouts are one inch (2.5 cm.) in diameter. Harvesting Brussels sprouts is best done when maturity occurs, in cooler weather. Lower sprouts will mature first, with upper sprouts maturing days later.