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Brussels sprouts belong to the category of unpretentious crops. Even a novice gardener can easily cope with its cultivation. But often difficulties arise with determining the maturity of its heads of cabbage. After all, the fruiting period of this vegetable does not coincide with other types of crops. Therefore, it is worth understanding when to harvest Brussels sprouts and how to harvest them.
This vegetable is characterized by extended fruiting
When to Harvest Brussels Sprouts
All varieties of vegetables are divided into three types, depending on the ripening period: early, middle and late. In the former, the growing season is much shorter, so the fruits arrive faster. But early varieties are not suitable for long-term storage. Middle and late species grow much longer and have to be harvested later. But they are stored better.
When do Brussels sprouts ripen?
The ripening time of Brussels sprouts depends on the growing region. In the central regions, the first vegetables ripen by the beginning of September. In the Urals, you can harvest Brussels sprouts no earlier than October, so you need to take care of covering the plants in advance. At one time you can collect 10-15 fruits.
To more accurately determine the ripening period of a variety, it is necessary to record the moment of formation of the ovary in the leaf axils. The fruits can be harvested three months after this. Brussels sprouts are harvested in several stages as individual fruits ripen.
How to tell if Brussels sprouts are ripe
The need for harvesting can be determined, first of all, by the size of the vegetables. It should be the size of a walnut. But it is important that the leaves are pressed tightly.
The first vegetables should be harvested when the lower leaves on the plant turn yellow and must be removed. Usually the fruits located at the bottom of the trunk ripen first. Brussels sprouts need to be harvested in a timely manner so that the nutritional components quickly begin to flow into the heads of cabbage located higher on the trunk. Otherwise, the ripening process will be significantly delayed.
After 10-14 days, the lower leaves on the trunk will turn yellow and dry out again, which also need to be removed. This indicates that it is time to harvest new ripe fruits.
The heads of cabbage on the plant can ripen until the beginning of November under favorable weather conditions. Moreover, collection is possible even after minor frosts. When exposed to short-term low temperatures, vegetables do not lose their consumer qualities. But in this case, it is better to remove them in the afternoon, until they are completely thawed.
You can tell if Brussels sprouts are ripe by doing a small test. To do this, you need to squeeze the forks with your fingers to determine how tight it is. And at the same time listen - a small creak should appear, confirming the maturity of the fetus.
During the season, 25-40 heads of cabbage are formed on the trunk of the plant
How to properly cut Brussels sprouts
No special harvesting tool is required. The heads of cabbage can simply be picked by hand. It is also possible to use a sharp knife. In this case, the heads of cabbage must be cut off near the stem itself, otherwise they will disintegrate into separate leaves.
How to speed up maturation
The long growing season of the crop causes many gardeners to refuse to grow it. But there are several secrets that can speed up the ripening of the crop.
At the end of August, all the heads of cabbage have already been formed on the cabbage trunk, so removing the growing point will allow the plant’s forces to be redirected to their maturation. To do this, you simply need to pinch off the top with your fingers. In this case, it will be possible to cut Brussels sprouts in open ground two weeks earlier.
The timing of pinching can be determined by the following criteria:
- the height of the bush reached 80-100 cm;
- in the lower part of the plant, a third of the heads of cabbage are already well formed;
- Fruits have already formed in the axils of all leaves.
The growth point must be removed in a timely manner. If you delay the procedure, it will not be able to significantly speed up the ripening of fruits. And if you do it ahead of schedule, pinching stimulates the growth of lateral branches on the trunk. In this case, the plant will direct its forces to their development.
You can speed up the ripening of fruits with the help of proper feeding. This crop does not require many nutritional components.However, the application of nitrogen fertilizers at the beginning of its growth and potassium elements at the stage of head formation will allow the crop to be harvested ten days ahead of schedule.
Root feeding is recommended for Brussels sprouts
How to store
Collected vegetables can be stored in the refrigerator, freezer, basement and on the balcony. In the first case, it is recommended to place the harvest in food containers equipped with a valve or perforated plastic bags. In this form, vegetables remain fresh for 10-12 days.
You can extend the shelf life if you dig up the plants by the roots and bury them in boxes with wet sand on the balcony or in the basement. Then the fruits will have to be harvested as they ripen. In this case, the storage duration is two months, provided there is high humidity and good ventilation.
You can preserve your harvest for the longest time in the freezer. In this case, their shelf life is six months. However, to do this, the heads of cabbage must be properly frozen. They need to be dried for 2-3 hours, then put into bags in small portions and wrapped tightly. And only after that put it in the freezer.
Conclusion
Knowing when to harvest Brussels sprouts and by what signs to determine the readiness of vegetables, harvesting will not be difficult. And taking into account the care recommendations, you can significantly speed up the ripening of heads of cabbage. This will make it possible to achieve maximum productivity of the variety even in regions with difficult climatic conditions.
