Brussels sprouts best varieties

In recent years, gardeners have been delighted with a wide variety of Brussels sprouts. Among them, there are some of the best and most popular, actively cultivated throughout the country. There is an opportunity to get to know them better in order to choose those that will bring a good harvest on your site.

How to choose the right variety?

When choosing cabbage varieties with a beautiful name "Brussels sprouts", it is important to consider three main characteristics:

1. Late ripeness of culture. The earliest ripening cabbage does not ripen earlier than 130 days. The closer to the east of the country the growing area, the more reasons to plant early maturing varieties.
2. Productivity. If the most common variety "Hercules" forms an average of 40 heads of cabbage, then the new hybrids can boast a quantitative increase in yield by half and a large fruit size.
3. Composition of nutrients. Russian varieties go without changing the qualitative composition of cabbage. Foreign breeding hybrids are bred with a high content of protein, carotene and mineral salts.

According to the method of obtaining seeds, they differ:

• Varieties. Traits are well inherited. Cocks are large, open quickly. High taste. Longer harvesting period.
• Hybrids. The derived qualities are best preserved in the first generation, which is designated F1. There are more fruits, the stems are lower. Heads of cabbage are located along the entire height of the stem, reach the degree of readiness almost simultaneously and remain dense for several weeks.

Also Brussels sprouts can be light and red. The high content of anthocyanins paints its leaves in rich colors of red shades.

Brussels sprouts varieties

When choosing the best Brussels sprouts, it is important to know which of them ripen early, at a later date, or are grown for up to 6 months or more.

This will help to correctly calculate the labor and monetary costs of growing, to allocate a certain place for the plant in a greenhouse or open field, where it will not be "touched" until the heads of cabbage are collected.

Early ripeness

"Dolmik F ». One of the best early varieties. Created in Holland. It grows up to 50 cm and more. The color of the heads of cabbage is green-yellow, each weighing up to 20 grams. The maximum yield per square meter is 2.5 kg. Can be planted in Siberia, in the Urals. It has been grown in Russia since 1994. The hybrid is suitable for fresh consumption and quick freezing.

"Isabel". The culture is resistant to cold, loves moisture. The beautiful violet-green color of the heads of cabbage is not lost during heat treatment.

Long Island Superior. Country of origin USA. Medium early variety. The bush is semi-dwarf. One up to 100 small heads of cabbage. Harvest in 85 days. Great taste, especially after freezing. Cultivation in Siberia is possible. The variety is suitable for canning.

Rosella Is a popular mid-early variety of Brussels sprouts. The variety was bred in Germany. Fruits appear on the 160th day from sowing seeds, on one bush up to 50 pieces. Plants are medium to tall. The average weight of a head of cabbage is 13 g. They take off one hundred kilos, seven hundred kilos per square meter. The taste is average. The density of the fruit is low. The main value of the variety is the amicable formation of the harvest, the preservation of taste and dietary qualities. They have been planted in Russia since 1995.

Rudnef. Resistant to frost up to 7 degrees below zero. The diameter of the heads of cabbage is 2 cm. The yields are high. Stays on the stem for a long time. Suitable for the Non-Black Earth Zone.

Franklin F1. The aging period is 128 days. Recommended for personal subsidiary plots. Green leaf of dark saturation. The petiole is small, of medium intensity anthocyanin coloration. The average number of cabbages per bush is 70, the shape is round. No bitterness. Resistant to cold weather, not susceptible to fusarium wilting. The taste is excellent. Productivity from 1 sq. m. - almost up to 3 kg.

Famous early maturing varieties also include Frigata F1, Explorer F1, Oliver F1 and others.

Mid-season

"Diamond". Ripens 120-130 days from the moment of transplanting. Heads of cabbage densely and evenly "sitting" on the stem, 3 cm in diameter. The color is dark green. The hybrid is easy to grow, has good productivity and disease resistance. Pleasant taste.

"Funny company". Ripens no more than 140 days. The culture is medium-sized, cold-resistant. Fruit weight 10-12 g, green with a violet tinge, dense structure. Amicable crop formation, about 2 kg per square meter. Well transported. High dietary properties.

"Garnet". Hybrid. Transfer frosts up to 7 degrees below zero. A culture with a height of 60-70 cm. On each of them, 30-40 small heads of cabbage are formed, rounded, dark burgundy in color. Technical ripeness 120 days from transplanting. The stems are cut at the roots, on which the fruits remain fresh longer. From a square of the area, the harvest is one and a half to two kilograms.

«Casio». The variety is resistant to cold weather. From the Czech Republic. Fruits are dark green, round, weighing up to 11 g, 2-3 cm in diameter. Up to 70 specimens per bush. To increase the size of the fruit at a plant height of 1 m, the top of the plant is removed. 185 days pass from germination to technical maturity. The taste is wonderful. From 1 sq. m you can collect 3 kg of vegetables. It has been grown in Russia since 1997.

Mid-season varieties include "Maximus F1" and "Dower Riesen".

Late

It so happened that Brussels sprouts of late season varieties are more popular with Russian gardeners. Some of them have survived since the times of the Soviet Union.

Since the 50s of the last century, the Hercules cabbage variety, bred by domestic breeders, has been grown.

Nowadays, mainly "Hercules 1342" is grown. There is a variety from the UK with the same name. Ripening period 120-160 days. The bush is not tall, up to 60 cm. 20-30 oval fruits appear on the stem, each up to 5 cm in diameter and weighing 10-14 g, medium density. Productivity from a square meter to 600 g. The variety loves light and moisture, is quite resistant to cold snaps. The taste is excellent. Nutritional properties are comparable to oatmeal. Lots of protein and vitamin C.The fruits are equally suitable for eating raw, preserved or frozen.

An interesting consumer variety is the "Commander" Brussels sprouts. On a low bush, up to 40 moderately dense heads of cabbage of excellent taste with dietary characteristics ripen. The diameter of each is 2-4 cm, weight is from 8 to 14 g. The ripening period is 110–125 days after the seedlings have been identified in the ground. For 1 sq. m can be removed up to 2 kg or more. Brussels sprouts "Commander" freezes perfectly, suitable for home cooking. Contains tons of multivitamins.

Description of Brussels sprouts "Gruniger" (or Groninger), a new variety for Russia, can begin with the unusual green-orange color of ripe heads. The vegetable is excellent for stewing and boiling, after which an exceptionally delicate and juicy taste is obtained. The growth period lasts up to 170 days, after which up to 80 heads of cabbage are removed from the bush, each weighing 15-18 g, in a circumference of up to 4 cm. The variety is cold-resistant, when the frost "grabs" the taste improves.

In terms of "vitamin" reserve, it is in no way inferior even to such types of cabbage as Kohlrabi or broccoli. It contains a lot of potassium, magnesium and iron.

Our gardeners also noticed a hybrid of cabbage from Holland with an unusual name "Boxer". It has been allowed in the country since 1993. The variety ripens up to 140 days. Transfers frost. Disease resistant. Reaches a height of 70 cm. Heads of cabbage are medium-sized, green in color, tasty. Harvests are 1.5 or a little more than a kilogram per square meter.

Popular varieties are: "Curl", "Sapphire", "Grape bunch", "Sanda", "Citadel" and many others.

Different types of Brussels sprouts that do not require special care, many of which are frost-resistant, are excellent for growing in our country. Depending on the climate, you can choose a variety that will take root well in a certain area and give a good harvest. The dietary properties, the mass of vitamins that are stored in the frozen product, will become an invaluable addition to the winter diet when other fresh vegetables have already run out.

Brussels sprouts are a very interesting plant that bears little resemblance to the types of cabbage familiar to us from childhood. Its tiny heads of cabbage are located on one stem, and all this together resembles a Christmas tree. It is not difficult to grow Brussels sprouts, but it is rarely planted in summer cottages and household plots, since the total yield per unit area is small. However, it is a very nutritious, tasty and healthy vegetable.

Description of culture

Brussels sprouts have a thick stem with a height of 30 to 70 cm, bearing spirally arranged rare long-stemmed leaves, in the axils of which small size (2–6 cm in diameter) and weight of up to 40–60 heads are formed by autumn. On the stem, they sit quite tightly to each other, but the lower ones are much larger than the upper ones, so the impression of a cone-shaped plant is created. Leaves are green, less often purple with a weak or medium waxy bloom.

When ripe, Brussels sprouts resemble either pyramids or palms

Brussels sprouts have excellent taste, the ability to tolerate frosts down to -10 ° C without damage and retain their original qualities for a long time. Small but dense heads of cabbage are convenient for canning and pickling in jars of any capacity, as well as for serving dishes.

High taste and nutritional qualities are due to the high protein content (up to 6.5%), which in terms of the set of amino acids is not inferior to the protein of meat and milk. In terms of the content of vitamins and minerals, Brussels sprouts are significantly superior to other types of cabbage.

This culture is low in calories, which is beneficial for those on a diet. Negative qualities: it is low-yielding, demanding on highly nutritious soils with moderate constant moisture.

This cabbage is most popular in Western Europe, especially in Holland and the UK.In Russia, it is grown relatively little, and in amateur gardens it is very rare.

Popular varieties of Brussels sprouts

A couple of decades ago, it could be said that there are few varieties of this variety of cabbage, and there are no early ones among them at all. Times have changed, and through the efforts of breeders, varieties and hybrids of Brussels sprouts have been developed, differing in terms of ripening and consumer properties.

Between varieties and hybrids, it is better to choose hybrid options: they are more protected from diseases and pests. Most of the varieties are bred in Holland and Germany, but there are cabbage and Russian selection.

Late and mid-late varieties

In Russia, rather late varieties are most often planted, known since the last century:

• since the 1950s the Hercules variety is grown, bred at the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute for Selection and Seed Production of Vegetable Crops. From germination to the start of harvesting, Hercules takes 5 months. The total plant height can be from 40 to 70 cm. There are several varieties of the variety. Currently, Hercules 1342 is the most popular, its bush is low, up to 60 cm. On the stem, up to 30 oval heads of cabbage with a diameter of up to 5 cm and a weight of about 12 g each grow. Leaves are green or gray-green. The yield is low, but the variety is famous for its excellent taste, fruits are consumed both in processed form and fresh, they are distinguished by a high content of ascorbic acid;
• about the same ripening period for the Komandor Brussels sprouts, up to 40 dense heads of cabbage of very good taste with a diameter of no more than 4 cm grow on a small stem. The total yield is slightly higher than that of Hercules. Cabbage is consumed mainly after cooking. Withstands freezing well, without losing nutritional qualities, the content of vitamins is balanced;
• the late-ripening Czech variety Zavitka is one of the best for growing in the middle lane, but it is planted in many regions of Russia, as well as in neighboring republics. From germination to harvest, it takes from 160 to 190 days. The plant is very tall: the stem is a little less than 1 m. It grows up to 30–35 large dense heads of cabbage with a diameter of about 6 cm and weighing up to 15 g, their shape is both round and oval. The total yield reaches about 2.5 kg / m2, which is a lot for Brussels sprouts. The leaves are green with a gray tint, inside the fruits are yellow-green. High yields require higher doses of fertilizers and water. The products have a universal purpose: they are used both raw and in the form of various dishes, suitable for canning and long-term storage;
• Dutch hybrid Boxer F1 - medium late, matures in 5 months. It has been grown in Russia since the mid-1990s. Suitable for all regions, including the Urals and Siberia. Possesses increased resistance to frost, as well as diseases and pests. Plant height up to 70 cm, leaves are green or blue-green, with a strong waxy bloom. Green heads of cabbage are round or oval, medium size, dense, low yield. Taste qualities of the product are characterized as good, universal purpose, shelf life;
• Cabbage of the Perfection variety has an excellent taste. This is one of the best mid-late varieties for the middle lane and the Siberian region. A multipurpose variety, high-yielding. The bush is compact and strong. Fruits are small, round-oval. The yield is high. The variety is frost-resistant, disease-resistant;
• the Czech variety Casio has been grown in our country since the end of the twentieth century, has increased frost resistance, the growing season is almost 6 months. The leaves are green, bubbly, with a slight waxy coating. Heads of cabbage are small, no larger than 2–3 cm, dense, green with a blue tinge, up to 80 of them can be found on one stem up to 1 m high. The yield is good, up to 3 kg per 1 m2. The taste is excellent, the purpose is universal, well kept;
• a rather new variety Grüninger is distinguished by an unusual orange-green color of ripe heads of cabbage. Ripens later, the yield is high, since up to 80 relatively large fruits are laid on each plant. It is used mainly after culinary processing: the taste of ready-made dishes is characterized as excellent and delicate. Consumer qualities improve somewhat after small frosts;
• the late Russian variety Sapphire bears fruit in small heads of cabbage 2–4 cm in size, round in shape and of medium density. Since there are no more than 30 of them on each plant, the total yield is low. The variety is famous for its excellent taste and dietary properties. Recommended both for the preparation of various side dishes and soups, and for fresh consumption, suitable for canning;
• the Sanda variety belongs to the late group. The stem grows up to 1 m, bears about 40 medium-sized green heads. They are dense, round in shape, weighing from 10 to 15 g. The variety has a very long shelf life, taste does not deteriorate at all from freezing. Resistant to various diseases and extreme cold.

Photo Gallery: Late and Mid Late Brussels Sprouts

Early varieties

Truly early varieties do not have Brussels sprouts. The growing season for the culture is long: first, a powerful stem must grow, then numerous heads of cabbage are tied on it. Even varieties that are considered early require at least 5 months before ripening.:

• Dolmik F1 is one of the best early hybrids, bred in Holland. It has been known in Russia since 1994. The height is relatively low, just over 0.5 m. The leaves are from gray to gray-green, slightly concave, bubbly, medium waxy coating. Fruits are green or light green in color, relatively large, weighing from 15 g. Productivity is above average. The hybrid is especially popular in the Urals and Siberia;
• The German variety Rosella is considered medium early, the heads are cut 160 days after the germination of the plants. On each plant there are about 50 of them, the size is medium, the shape is from round to oval, the color is blue-green. The stem length reaches 90 cm. The yield and taste are average. The advantages of the variety are the simultaneous ripening of all heads of cabbage on the plant and their good preservation;
• mid-early Dutch frost-resistant hybrid Diablo F1 bears fruits of medium size emerald color. Their total weight on one plant can be up to 1 kg, the number - up to 55-60 pieces. Fusarium resistant. The yield is good, regardless of the climatic zone. The crop can be stored for a long time, it is used in different forms.

Photo gallery: early varieties of Brussels sprouts

How to plant Brussels sprouts

Agricultural technology of Brussels sprouts is similar to late varieties of white cabbage. The best soils are fertile loams. She most of all loves organic fertilizers applied for autumn digging. An even more correct option is to add them when growing previous crops.

It is undesirable to introduce fresh manure just before planting, during the spring preparation of the ridges. This leads to a decrease in the quality of the crop.

Since the growing season for Brussels sprouts is long, except for the southernmost regions, seedlings are always required, which are usually carried out in greenhouse conditions. It is difficult to grow high-quality seedlings in an apartment: she does not like high temperatures and needs a lot of sunlight.

Do I need to soak Brussels sprouts seeds

In some manuals, you can read that the seeds of Brussels sprouts must be soaked, otherwise they will take a long time to germinate. Seeing such lines, one immediately overcomes, as the hero of one of the famous comedies said, "a vague doubt" about the author's qualifications. Yes, sometimes cabbage seeds are soaked, but this has nothing to do with the desire to get quick shoots.Seeds of Brussels sprouts, like any other, if they are not very expired, sprout perfectly after a few days when sown dry, even at a low positive temperature. And "wet" processing of cabbage seeds, if needed, is for other purposes.

It is unlikely that you will have seeds of Brussels sprouts of unknown origin from somewhere. Nobody here specially grows them in their garden: cabbage is a two-year-old plant, and gives seeds in the second year. A Russian gardener, if he plants this crop on his site, will eat the entire crop, and next year he will simply buy seeds in the store.

If you have any doubts, you can go in a full circle. Some hobbyists who have a lot of free time even soak cabbage seeds in water for several days. True, it is not known whether they sprout after that. Many people disinfect seeds in hot water or potassium permanganate solution. This operation is useful if the seeds are not very worthy of the company. They also describe soaking in fertilizer solutions (nitrophoska, urea, boric acid) and even in growth stimulants. Well, as they say, if there is an irresistible desire ... You can also read about hardening wet seeds in the refrigerator. But cabbage does not need it, it is not tomatoes, cabbage is a frost-resistant culture.

So: it is, of course, possible to soak the seeds, but there is not much sense in this. If, nevertheless, this is done, before sowing, the seeds must be dried to flowability. But do not overdo it, otherwise they will refuse to ascend due to excessive guardianship over them.

Growing seedlings at home

Although Brussels sprouts are an exceptionally cold-resistant crop, the timing of sowing seeds for seedlings must be determined based on the expected date of planting it in open ground. Since this can be carried out no earlier than May (focusing on the climate of the middle zone), and the seedlings should be about 35–45 days old, it turns out that the time for sowing seeds falls on the end of March or the beginning of April. In the southern regions, seedlings can be grown even earlier.

Of course, in the south, it would be possible to sow seeds directly into open ground. Sometimes they do this, but it is not entirely advisable, because right away, already in March, you need to have a large ready-made bed, where 2-3 seeds are sown into the holes at distances of about 60–70 cm. It is more rational to use a small nursery (and, if necessary, a greenhouse), and then plant the cabbage in a permanent place; she is quite loyal to the transplant. In the middle lane, it is possible to sow in open ground not earlier than mid-April.

Like all types of cabbage, the Brussels sprouts do not like excessive heat when growing seedlings, but they are demanding on lighting. Therefore, it is almost impossible to grow good seedlings in a city apartment with hot batteries; this should be done in a greenhouse or greenhouse. Throughout life in a box or pots, seedlings need a daytime temperature of 14-16 ° C, and at night only 8-10 ° C (immediately after the emergence of seedlings, it is lowered). Sometimes glazed balconies or loggias help out, but even there you need to constantly monitor the temperature. But the light on the balcony, unlike the room, is enough for cabbage.

The leaves of young Brussels sprouts differ little from the leaves of other cabbage plants.

Sowing seeds

You can sow seeds immediately in separate pots, preferably peat ones, but it is better to sow in a common box, and then cut them into separate containers. The box can be of any size, but the layer of soil should be at least 5–6 cm. It is better to take the earth that is water and air permeable, for example, sod soil in half with sand. If there is good humus, it can also be added, and if not, at least wood ash. In regions rich in peat, potting mixes are prepared on its basis.

Sowing step by step:

1. In a box with soil, grooves are marked at a distance of about 5-6 cm from each other, prepared seeds are sown in them with an interval of 2.5-3 cm.The embedment depth is about 1 cm.
2. Watered with standing water or a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate.
3. It is better to cover the box with glass or transparent film after sowing, but if the room is not very dry, the seeds will sprout like that (in a week or earlier).
4. Immediately you need to transfer the box to a bright, cold place: for the first few days, the temperature should not exceed 10 ° C during the day and 6 ° C at night.
5. Watering of seedlings should be very moderate: the slightest stagnation of water threatens the most dangerous disease - a black leg.

Seedling picking

In 10-12 days, the first true leaves will begin to appear on the seedlings. Without waiting for them to grow, the seedlings must be cut down. This requires medium-sized pots with a volume of about 200 cm3. It can even be seated in a large common box, especially if the space in the apartment is limited.

When picking, cabbage seedlings are planted in separate containers

The pick is usual: we make holes in the cups with a sharp object like a pencil, carefully select the seedlings from the common box, in which we water them well a few hours before, slightly pinch the roots and lower the seedlings into the holes along the cotyledon leaves. Gently squeeze the roots with soil, water and put the seedlings in a warmer place (about 18–20оС) for 2-3 days, covering them from bright sunlight.

Seedling care

In a few days, the seedlings will take root in a new place, and the temperature must again be lowered, and the maximum light must be given. Seedling care consists of periodic moderate watering and 1-2 additional fertilizing. Watering should be done carefully, at the root, the easiest way is from a small teapot. A week after picking and 7-10 days before planting seedlings on the garden bed, a small dose of complex mineral fertilizer should be added to the irrigation water. Better - special for cabbage, you can do something like azofoska. The norms are spelled out on the packaging; it would be more correct to miss them a little than to sort them out.

A week before planting, the seedlings are hardened by opening windows and doors or simply taking out the pots for a while to fresh air. Finished seedlings should have at least 4 and no more than 6 true leaves and be about 20 cm high.

Finished seedlings should have at least 4 and no more than 6 true leaves and be about 20 cm high

Planting Brussels sprouts in open ground

The garden, as for most vegetables, is best prepared in the fall, when it is much easier to do. For digging, it is necessary to add manure or compost (at least a bucket per 1 m2), phosphorus and potash fertilizers (30-40 g each) or a liter can of wood ash. The best soil should have a slightly alkaline reaction, therefore, on acidic soils, preliminary liming with chalk or slaked lime is mandatory. In the spring, the garden bed only needs to be loosened with a rake; re-digging is not needed.

The most convenient scheme for planting Brussels sprouts is 70 x 60 cm. The planting technique is usual. We make deep holes, add fertilizers to them (1 tbsp of ash is enough), mix them with the ground and water them. We plant seedlings, taking them out of the pots, if possible, with an earthen lump. If you managed to stretch out, we deepen it almost to the leaves, if the seedlings are of high quality - at the same level as they grew before transplanting.

When planting cabbage in a garden, it is advisable to preserve the soil lump, and there will be almost no stoppage in growth.

Water well, mulch with dry earth or humus. If the sun is bright, cover it with grass or paper caps for a couple of days.

Care

Caring for cabbage in the open field consists in loosening the soil, accompanied by a slight hilling of the plants, as well as watering and feeding.

Watering

Watering, in contrast to growing seedlings, needs frequent and abundant. There should be no stagnation of water, but most often it does not happen: this cabbage consumes a lot of water, especially during growth. It is better to water at the root, but in hot weather, sprinkling is also useful. After that, loosening is necessary until the size of the plants allows. Weeds must be removed systematically.

Top dressing

Frequent feeding is not needed: it is enough to apply additional fertilizers only twice during the whole summer. The first time it should be done 7-10 days after landing in the ground, using Azophoska. The dose is about 0.5 tsp. per plant (dilute in water and distribute between plants on moist soil). After half an hour, water the garden bed again.

Azofoska is convenient because the three main nutrients are in the most convenient ratio.

The second feeding is given at the beginning of the formation of heads of cabbage. At this point, you no longer need a lot of nitrogen, so they take 1 tbsp per bucket of water. l. azophoska, superphosphate and potassium sulfate: this way you get a little nitrogen, and more potassium and phosphorus. If the garden bed has been well filled with organic matter since the fall, more fertilizers are not required: at the slightest excess, the cabbage becomes flabby and tasteless.

Harvest

A month before harvesting, pinch (cut off) the tops of the plants. This technique accelerates the maturation of the heads of cabbage, increases the yield. Brussels sprouts are harvested with the onset of the first autumn frosts, while the leaves on the plants selected for winter storage are preserved along with the heads of cabbage. In this form, in the basement or in the cellar, it is installed obliquely in rows and sprinkled with sand, where it can be stored until February.

Video: Brussels sprouts from sowing to harvest

Features of growing Brussels sprouts in the regions

Now Brussels sprouts are grown in large quantities in many countries of Europe and America. In Russia, the most favorable climatic conditions are in the Central region. But it is also planted in the northern and southern regions of our country.

Middle zone of Russia

Central Russia is best suited for the cultivation of Brussels sprouts: there is almost no extreme heat (except for 2010), and the amount of rain sometimes makes it possible to do without irrigation. Everything written above mainly refers to the conditions of the middle lane. Here, cabbage is cultivated exclusively through seedlings, which they try to grow in greenhouses. Enthusiasts also sometimes try direct sowing of seeds in a garden bed at a permanent place, but this should be done in mid-April, and the weather at this time is still unstable.

Moscow region

The Moscow region is part of Russia, which is considered to be the middle lane, but agricultural experts often single it out as a separate line. The climate of the Moscow region is famous for its unpredictability, which, to some extent, is due to the high urbanization of the territory. In winter, severe frosts and unexpected prolonged thaws occur here. This prevents the cultivation of some crops, the roots of which are sensitive to such alternation. However, this does not apply to cabbage.

Previously, it was believed that only one variety was zoned in the Moscow region - Hercules, but now the choice of varieties is extremely large. Nevertheless, it is better to plant not the latest varieties and hybrids here. Brussels sprouts are grown in the Moscow region only through the seedling stage. Plants hardly huddle. The upper bud is cut off at the very beginning of autumn, after another month, the entire top is removed. Harvesting is carried out in mid-October in several stages, cutting out the heads of cabbage as they ripen.

Siberia

It is generally accepted that the climate in Siberia is harsh. But, firstly, Siberia is large, and the climate there is different. And secondly, the severity refers to the winter months, and in summer it happens in Krasnoyarsk even over 30oC. But the summer is quite short, and this is the main problem with the cultivation of Brussels sprouts, which should grow for about six months. Therefore, you have to choose the earliest varieties and, of course, grow them only through seedlings. Seeds are sown in greenhouses from the end of February to April; they are planted in open ground no earlier than mid-May. By this time, the February plantings are already outgrowing, so they can be grown in greenhouses, under light shelter.

Ural region

In summer, the weather in the regions of the Urals is very similar to the Siberian one, so the cultivation of Brussels sprouts here is also limited by both terms and the correct selection of varieties. Sowing seeds in the greenhouse begins with the arrival of the calendar spring, at the very beginning of March. Rosella is considered one of the varieties suitable for the Urals, and Dolmik F1 is the best. In addition, mid-season Perfection, Boxer and Diablo are popular. If at the end of summer the apical bud is not removed on the cabbage, the harvest in the Urals may not be obtained: there is no fall for autumn, and severe cold may come too early.

Kuban

In the southern regions of our country, such as the Kuban, Stavropol, Astrakhan region, Brussels sprouts can be planted with seeds directly in the open ground. This is possible already in mid-March, and only those gardeners who do not want to plow large areas at this time, first grow seedlings. Those who want to get the products early sow seeds in the greenhouse in winter. For the usual ripening period, you can sow seeds in a small bed right in the garden in March, and plant cabbage according to the usual scheme in a permanent place by the May holidays.

Any varieties and hybrids can be grown here, and failure can lie in wait only in case of too hot weather. I must say frankly that the southern climate is not very suitable for growing any types of cabbage, this vegetable does not like high temperatures. But in most seasons in the Kuban, good harvests are still obtained.

Reviews

Brussels sprouts are a very tasty and healthy product, but they are not planted very often in our country. This variety of cabbage has a very long growing season and is not too high in comparison with white cabbage, the yield. These circumstances repel many summer residents from Brussels sprouts, but with a little effort, you can successfully get good results, especially in the climatic conditions of central Russia.

Graduated from the Chemistry Department of Moscow State University in 1981. Candidate of Chemical Sciences, Associate Professor. Rate the article:

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Brussels sprouts have a completely unusual appearance. Its shape and miniature heads of cabbage attract attention. And the Brussels beauty has many useful properties. It is a great product for nutritional lovers and dieters.

Brussels sprouts: description and main characteristics

Brussels sprouts are an artificially bred crop. Her closest relatives:

• broccoli,
• white cabbage,
• cauliflower.

At home, this type of cabbage is called "rosenkol", that is, cabbage-rose.

Brussels sprouts have fruits located below the main leaves.

History of appearance

For the first time, this type of cabbage was scientifically described by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus. He also came up with such a name for her in honor of vegetable growers from Brussels, who bred this plant from collard greens. From Belgium, the vegetable crop spread throughout Western Europe. Russia met her in the middle of the 19th century, but Brussels sprouts did not become widespread at that time. Even now, this vegetable is not very popular with gardeners: it is more efficient to grow large areas of white cabbage, because the miniature fruits of Brussels sprouts do not give a large economic effect.

The main supplier of Brussels sprouts is currently Holland. The main modern varieties are also bred there. Russian breeders also boast a whole series of varieties - with a shorter growing season and cold resistance.

Brussels sprouts are not heads of cabbage, but just heads of cabbage

Appearance

Brussels sprouts are very different in appearance from other types of cabbage. It resembles a small palm tree in shape. On a thick stem 20–60 cm high, there are medium-sized long-petiolized leaves.At the top, they create a rosette. Fruits have the shape of a small head of cabbage the size of a walnut, formed in the axils of the leaves in the first year. From one plant, you can get from 40 to 60 such heads of cabbage. In the second year, the plant blooms and gives seeds.

Brussels sprouts have an unusual appearance

Growing region

Now this vegetable crop is in great demand in Western Europe, the USA and Canada. Russia is only looking at it.

The value of Brussels sprouts

This type of cabbage is valuable for its high content of nutrients. There are especially many B vitamins in Brussels sprouts. In addition, it contains vitamins: A, C, F, as well as E, K, PP.

Macronutrients (per 100 g):

• potassium - 389 mg,
• calcium - 42 mg,
• magnesium - 23 mg,
• sodium - 25 mg,
• phosphorus - 69 mg.

Microelements (per 100 g):

• iron - 1.4 mg,
• manganese - 0.337 mg,
• copper - 70 mcg,
• selenium - 1.6 mcg,
• zinc - 0.42 mg.

Beneficial features

The vegetable has many beneficial properties:

1. Brussels sprouts help you stay young as they contain a rich antioxidant composition.
2. Highly assimilable iron prevents anemia in children and pregnant women.
3. Brussels sprouts strengthen the immune system.
4. Vitamin A helps to improve vision.
5. The high protein and low calorie content makes kale especially beneficial for weight loss.
6. The vegetable helps to normalize cholesterol levels.
7. The high fiber content is good for the digestive system.

Brussels sprouts - a healthy dietary product

Video: what is useful for Brussels sprouts

Contraindications for Brussels sprouts

It is undesirable to use this type of cabbage for gout. This is due to the significant content of purines in it, which contribute to the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints and kidneys - the main cause of gouty arthritis. With gastritis, bloating (flatulence), weakening of the pancreas, increased acidity, the use of Brussels sprouts is also not recommended.

Comparison of Brussels sprouts with other types of cabbage

Compared to white cabbage, Brussels sprouts are more nutritious. It contains 3-5% protein, which is 2 times more than other types of cabbage. Doctors equate Brussels sprouts broth with chicken broth in terms of usefulness. Carbohydrates in it are 2 times less than in white cabbage. In terms of vitamin composition, Brussels sprouts can compete with kohlrabi and broccoli.

In Belgium, they joke that children are found in Brussels sprouts

Application of the vegetable

Brussels sprouts in our country are still a gourmet dish, but there is hope that it will become more widespread in our country.

Eating

The calorie content of Brussels sprouts is only 43 kcal per 100 g.

From dietary heads of cabbage, the first and second courses are excellent:

• light soups,
• vegetable stew,
• tender casseroles.

For long-term storage, they are pre-blanched and frozen. And the healthiest way to cook is steaming.

The healthiest cooking method is steaming

In England, Brussels sprouts are traditionally served at Christmas as a side dish for a Christmas goose.

Video: how to cook Brussels sprouts with mushrooms

In folk medicine

The sap of the plant in combination with the juices of other vegetables is used to treat respiratory diseases. They are also used for diabetes mellitus.

Types and varieties of Brussels sprouts

When choosing a variety, it is important to consider characteristics such as:

• Ripening period. The plant needs at least 130 days to mature. The farther east the planting zone is, the more reasons to plant a precocious variety.
• Productivity. The Hercules variety, which we know more than others, gives on average about 40 heads of cabbage. New hybrid varieties are more productive.
• The presence of nutrients. Modern hybrids contain more protein and minerals.

Table: Brussels sprouts popular in Russia

Photo gallery: Brussels sprouts varieties

In outskirts of Moscow

The best varieties of Brussels sprouts for the Moscow region are Hercules, Perfection and Boxer hybrid... These are mid-late varieties, they are not afraid of negative temperatures, which helps the hybrids to ripen and form a crop.

The best varieties of Brussels sprouts in the Moscow region proved to be Hercules, Perfection and Boxer (F1)

In the middle lane

For the middle lane, the Czech variety Curl is most suitable. The finished fruit can be harvested after 160 days. The variety is very productive. In addition, the varieties Kasio and Dolmik (F1) performed well.

Brussels sprouts come in different colors: green, light, blue-green and even red. The red color of the plant is given by the high content of anthocyanins.

In the Urals and Siberia

The growing season for Brussels sprouts is delayed by 160-180 days, so in Siberia and the Urals, only its seedling cultivation is possible. Seedlings should be planted in open ground in early June. Dolmik (F1) is considered the best variety for growing in Siberia and the Urals. In addition to it, you can plant mid-season varieties of Perfection, Boxer, Zimushka and Diablo.

Some Brussels sprouts are not afraid of low temperatures

Reviews of gardeners on the cultivation of Brussels sprouts

If you try to cook this wonderful stranger in your kitchen, called in old recipes by the beautiful name Rosenkol, you will definitely fall in love with her. Indeed, when cooked, Brussels sprouts acquire a delicate mushroom taste. And if you don't have gout, heartburn and flatulence, this is your product!

My name is Natalya. I am a teacher of the Russian language and literature by profession. Rate the article:

(4 votes, average: 3.3 out of 5)

Brussels sprouts come from Belgium, from where this plant spread to Holland, Germany and France, as well as to other countries of Western Europe.

This cabbage is high in nutrients and tastes good. Dense small heads of Brussels sprouts are used in the preparation of first and second courses, and they can also be pickled for the winter.

Brussels sprouts varieties

All varieties of Brussels sprouts are subdivided into early-maturing, mid-maturing and late-maturing.

Mid-season Brussels sprouts:

• Rosella - has a good yield (up to 50 heads of cabbage are harvested from one stem);
• Cassio - is characterized by a high yield (up to 60 heads of cabbage).

Late-ripening varieties:

• Hercules 1342 - resistant to diseases, is the most common, frost-resistant;
• Dallik - characterized by high resistance to keel;
• Curl is a variety of domestic selection, frost-resistant.

Early maturing varieties:

• Franklin F1 - ripening period 130 days;
• Dolmik F1 is the best variety, taking into account the peculiarities of growing Brussels sprouts in Siberia and the Urals.

The stalk of the cabbage reaches 40-60 cm, depending on the variety. Cabbage heads of Brussels sprouts are green-yellow, can reach a mass of up to 20 grams, and up to 0.5 kg are harvested from one specimen (the yield depends on the variety).

Features of growing Brussels sprouts

In order to get a good harvest of cabbage heads, the cultivation of Brussels sprouts should be carried out taking into account the exactingness of the crop to the soil and the place of growth. Cabbage seedlings are planted in fertile loams with neutral or low pH acidity. For the cultivation of Brussels sprouts, a well-lit place is taken away, since due to a lack of light, the heads of cabbage on the stem will not have time to form and gain weight.

This type of cabbage should be planted after root vegetables, legumes, early tomatoes and pumpkin crops. In order to prevent many diseases and especially keels, Brussels sprouts are not recommended to be planted after crucifers.

Features of growing Brussels sprouts in Siberia and the Urals

The growing season for Brussels sprouts lasts 160-180 days, therefore, in the middle latitudes, this crop is grown only by seedlings.

For seed germination, 3 degrees of heat is enough, and when it rises to 20 degrees, shoots appear on the 4th day.

A soil mixture composed of peat and sod land with the addition of wood ash and complex mineral fertilizer is poured into the seedling boxes. Garden land for growing seedlings of Brussels sprouts is not used to minimize the risk of pest and keel infestation. Seeds are laid out in holes to a depth of 2 cm. You can sow cabbage for seedlings from the second decade of April. If there is no space in the greenhouse, seeds for seedlings can be sown under a film in a place well warmed by the sun.

Water the seedlings of Brussels sprouts as the soil dries up in the box. It is important not to overflow, otherwise the seedlings will disappear. When 4-7 true leaves are formed on the plant, the seedlings are ready for transplanting into open ground.

Planting seedlings of Brussels sprouts is carried out taking into account weather conditions (from May 15), and for the regions of Siberia and the Urals, the dates are shifted to early June.

Ideal for growing Brussels sprouts would be a ridge where cucumbers, tomatoes or legumes were grown last year. When transplanting cabbage seedlings, you do not need to add fertilizer to the hole, since the ridge has been prepared in the fall. If there was no autumn dressing, 2 weeks before planting, a bucket of humus, half a liter of chalk or ash, 100 g is introduced into the soil. nitrophosphate. The soil with fertilizers is dug up, leveled and spilled with an additional solution of potassium permanganate (1.5 grams of substance is taken in a bucket of water). This is a good prevention of keela and other cruciferous diseases.

Seedlings of Brussels sprouts are carefully removed from the box, keeping a clod of earth.

Planting is carried out in rows, maintaining a distance of 60 cm between the plants. The soil around the stem is compacted so that the wind does not tilt the plant. Best of all, cabbage seedlings, grown in a cassette or pot method, take root, since during transshipment, a clod of earth retains its shape.

Since Brussels sprouts develop for a long time (almost six months), the beds with this crop can be used more rationally by planting cucumbers, early tomatoes, lettuce and other vegetables and herbs in the aisles.

Care

After planting the seedlings, you need to provide proper care for the Brussels sprouts. It is practically the same as for cauliflower, only you do not need to huddle.

Watering... Over the entire cultivation period, Brussels sprouts are watered 10 times, spending 400 liters of water per 10 square meters of planting until the heads of cabbage form on the stem, and 450 liters during their growth.

Top dressing... During the season, seedlings are fed twice with mineral fertilizers. Organics are not used as food for this type of cabbage.

1. The first time Brussels sprouts are fed a week after planting in open ground. A teaspoon of nitroammophoska is consumed for 2 holes.
2. The second feeding is carried out for already grown plants, when the rudiments of heads of cabbage begin to appear on the stems. A solution is used as a top dressing: 25 grams of nitroammophoska, potassium sulfate and superphosphate are dissolved in 10 liters of water. Before top dressing, the soil is shed with water, and then top dressing is applied. For the second feeding, you can use the following fertilizer composition: 30 grams of potassium chloride, 40 grams of superphosphate, 2 grams of urea.

Pinching... In September, when 3-4 weeks are left before harvesting, the top of the Brussels sprouts is pinched, the rosette leaves are cut off. It is a decapitation method that promotes the growth of heads of cabbage.

Harvesting... The fact that the heads of Brussels sprouts are ready for picking will be indicated by their color of the first leaves of the heads. They turn yellowish, after which they crumble. A characteristic waxy luster appears on the fruits themselves.

Growing Brussels sprouts - video