Brussel Sprouts

Question 1

Name a pest and a disease of brussel sprouts, including symptoms and control methods.

Answer 1

Clubroot

• Slimy mouldy fungus, particularly effects seedlings
• Reduced vigour, chlorosis, wilting, distorted roots
• Improve drainage; Apply lime on acid soils.

Cabbage White Butterfly

• 25cm long yellow or green caterpilar with black markings
• Defoliate plants quickly
• Encourage birds; introduce predatory wasp; use pyrethroids; use netting; use insecticide; remove eggs.

Question 2

Explain site selection and soil requirements for brussel sprouts.

Answer 2

• Full sun
• pH below 6.5
• Well-drained, moisture-retentive, fertile soil
• Firm seedbed (as with all brassicas)
• Apply garden lime at 300-400g/m2 to prevent clubroot
• Do not like fresh manure.

Question 3

Explain soil cultivation for brussel sprouts.

Answer 3

• Prepare soil well in advance as don’t like fresh manure
• Incorp well-rotted manure in autumn
• Prepare two plots, one for seedbed that’s worked to a fine tilth
• Do NOT fork over soil as brassicas like a firm seedbed
• Remove any weeds, rake level
• Apply base-dressing fertiliser like 100g/m2 of Growmore.

Question 4

Explain sowing and transplanting of brussel sprouts.

Answer 4

• Sow from mid March to mid April once soil has warmed up
• Sow thinly in 13mm rows, rows 15cm apart
• Thin the seedlings to 7cm apart once large enough
• Space 60cm apart
• Plant fairly deeply to ensure stable plant, firm in well
• Water thoroughly immediately.

Question 5

Explain cultivation of brussel sprouts.

Answer 5

• Pay particular attention to irrigation. Keep well-watered until established
• Weed regularly
• Apply nitrogen fertiliser like Hoof & Horn at 130g/m2 in late summer
• Protect the crop from pigeons with netting
• Earth up to encourage sturdy plants
• Mulch with garden compost if soild does not hold moisture well
• Remove yellowing leaves and loose sprouts
• Stake overwintering varieties.

Question 6

Explain harvesting of brussel sprouts.

Answer 6

• Ready to harvest from September onwards (20 weeks after sowing)
• Flavour improved by exposure to frost
• Pick when size of a walnut and firm
• Start from base of the plant and work up.

Question 7

Name an early, a late and a maincrop brussel sprout cultivar.

Answer 7

• Early:‘Bright’ (harvest Aug/Sept)
• Main:‘Brodie’ F1 (Oct/Nov/Dec)
• Late:‘Trafalgar’ (Jan/Feb)