Kem Ormond’s vegetable garden: Growing Brussels sprouts takes patience, but it’s worth it
Thought I would sow a seed: have you ever considered growing your own Brussels sprouts – or are you not fussed on them?
They are a vegetable that people seem to love or hate; there seems to be no in-between.
Freshly picked and cooked Brussels sprouts can be used in so many ways.
Cooked, then lightly browned in a fry pan with butter and some slivered almonds, sliced in a sprout slaw, used with pasta, charred on the barbecue, they are delicious with crispy pieces of bacon.
In fact, you can use them as you would cabbage.
Now for the hard part: to successfully grow them.
You need patience, determination and a will to succeed.
You can grow Brussels sprouts from seeds or seedlings.
Your soil needs to be well-composted, aiming for a firmer bed rather than a fluffy one. Brussels sprouts need a good footing.
They like to be in full sun as it builds strong stems and tight sprouts.
The ideal time to plant your seedlings is late summer into early autumn, so the plants can mature through winter and into spring.
The colder weather seems to add to the flavour and deter the bitterness that can sometimes happen.
As the seedlings grow and the stalk starts to get bigger, add some stakes that the sprouts can be gently tied to.
This will keep the roots from being disturbed and moving around.
Consistent moisture and regular feeding are key.
Over the summer, make sure you deep water and mulch to assist with keeping the roots cool, so the plant doesn’t bolt.
Sprouts are hungry feeders. If you find the leaves are not as green as they were, then they probably need feeding.
I know people find sprouts hard to grow, and this is because the plants dislike stress – they don’t like wind, need regular feeding and watering – and you need to keep an eye out for pests.
They are like the prima donnas of the brassica family, really!
You know they are ready to be harvested when the sprouts feel firm and tight. You start harvesting from the bottom and make your way up.
Growing Brussels sprouts can be a challenge, and I won’t deny it.
However, that is exactly what makes vegetable gardening so satisfying.
When you finally succeed in growing a crop that has tested your patience and skill, the reward is more than worth the effort.
Tasting the harvest at the end of the season brings a real sense of achievement and makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Kem Ormond is a features writer for The Country. She’s also a keen gardener.