For a bigger and more flavorful crop, follow these tips on how and when to harvest Brussels sprouts.
Growing Brussels sproutsis more time-intensive and not quite as easy as most other vegetables.
Proper timing is not the only concern that arises when harvesting Brussels sprouts.
Credit:GomezDavid / Getty Images
GomezDavid / Getty Images
1.
Be Patient
Compared with crops likeradishesandlettuce, Brussels sprouts are relatively slow-growing.
More cold-hardy varieties grow slower, and less cold-hardy varieties grow faster.
Depending on the variety, transplants take 80 to 110 days to reach maturity.
This redirects the plants energy toward sprout production and prompts Brussels sprouts to mature more quickly.
However, dont remove many leaves at one time, as the plants still need foliage for photosynthesis.
Dont toss the Brussels sprout leaves in the trash.
Those leaves are edible and can be cooked likekaleorcollard greens.
Brussels sprouts planted in autumn are usually picked after a light frost.
Although temperatures below 20F will eventually kill Brussels sprout plants, these vegetables are hardy.
Their flavor improves after a light frost because the starches are converted to sugar.
Picking sprouts after a frost results in a sweeter and tastier crop.
Harvestable sprouts should be firm and measure about 1 to 1 12 inches in diameter.
Picking Brussels sprouts while theyre still green and tightly closed results in the tastiest homegrown sprouts.
Picking sprouts as they mature redirects the plants energy toward ripening the sprouts that remain on the stem.
Harvesting also causes your Brussels sprout plants to produce more sprouts higher up on their stems.
Harvesting the lowest sprouts first prevents the oldest sprouts on the plant from becoming overly mature.
Removing sprouts with a knife makes a clean cut on the plant and limits damage to the stem.
This prevents the plant from growing more leaves and prompts the last sprouts to fill out.
