Brussels sprouts are very unpretentious in cultivation: it practically does not require additional dressings, hilling and watering during growth.
But in conditions of middle lane with a cold summer, it often does not have enough time for aging, so always choose early ripening varieties when planting.
To increase the yield, it is necessary to make a pinching (pinching) at the end of August.
This is a special simple technique in which the upper point of growth is removed from the stem in order to accelerate the development of lateral buds. If this is not done, then the stalk will strenuously stretch upwards and the forming roaches will be quite small.
Collection dates
What are the terms of harvesting brussels sprouts? The main sign of the maturing of the coaches and the signal for the start of harvesting is the complete yellowing of the two or three lower leaves, which must be severed. Specific dates for the start of the harvest of Brussels sprouts in the regions may vary, but usually this is the second half of September.
Brussels sprouts should be harvested gradually, as the coaches mature, from bottom to top. The first harvest should be removed when the fruit reaches the size of a walnut.Without waiting for the increase in their size. This will allow the next coaches to develop more quickly.
At the same time ten to fifteen fruits can be collected from one plant. After seven to ten days the second batch will ripen, which will be signaled by the next yellowed leaves, which should also be removed. A little later, under favorable weather conditions, the next fruits will soon ripen.
The size of the fruit can reach five centimeters in diameter. Harvest during the warm autumn may continue until November. For the season, a few dozen kochanchiki gather from one bush. For one family, it is quite enough at the summer cottage of four or five plants.
Brussels sprouts can be harvested in any weather.. If there was a sudden frost at night, then in order to preserve the nutritive and taste properties of the coaches it is important to observe one rule: in the morning you should not collect them immediately. Let the air warm up a little, the plant will gradually become free of ice crystals, its conductive system will be restored and in the afternoon you can harvest.
You can learn from our articles about how and at what time it is necessary to remove other types of cabbage from the garden, such as white cabbage, kohlrabi or cauliflower.
Storage rules
Where and how to store Brussels sprouts? Collected kochanchiki are used either directly in fresh form for the preparation of various dishes, or are harvested for winter storage.
If there is a cellar, basement or a glazed loggia, where you can maintain a constant temperature plus two to five degrees, preventing it from falling, then felled stalks together with coaches sprinkled with sand from below and stored for up to two months, without loss of quality and nutrients, consuming fresh Brussels sprouts.
If in the fall stable frosts came early and the coaches formed did not have time to mature, then to get a full harvest, the bush of Brussels sprouts can be dug out and stuck in the greenhouse, where the plant will continue to grow and coaches ripen. Kochchiki should be collected from such a plant should be gradually, as they mature.
Storing fresh Brussels sprouts in the fridge is possible for no more than ten days.
To do this, Kochanchik should be placed in a plastic bag with holes or in a special container with a valve. The best way for long-term storage of Brussels sprouts is freezing.
To do this, the cabins are washed, dried on a towel, folded in a plastic bag or a special container and cleaned in the freezer. There they can be stored until the new harvest..
Learn about what the calorie and energy value of dried Brussels sprouts, from our article.
After harvesting the whole crop, the cabbage trunk is cut down or immediately uprooted.
In the spring, when the snow melts, the cabbage will miraculously delight you with fresh flakes.
Read also our articles about the rules of storage of all types of cabbage at home and in the basement or cellar.
Brussels sprouts among all types of cabbage is the leader in protein content. She is among the top ten diet foods. Proper cultivation and storage of Brussels sprouts will allow you to consume delicious natural vitamins throughout the winter.
