Brussels sprouts are wanton to acquire in home gardens and are at their peak from fall through to outpouring . As cruciferous vegetables , they join the   Brassicaceae   phratry alongside others , like cabbage , cauliflower , and kale .

Cruciferous veg have a atomic number 16 - hold phytochemical called glucosinolate , which is responsible for for the distinctive odour and bitter flavour .   However , this veg is a delicious gain to any dinner mesa . It only needs proper harvesting and preparation to bring out its nutty sweetness . Not only can they savor delicious , but brussels sprouts have anti - cancer properties . They are also an excellent source of vitamins C and K , folate , carotenoids , and fiber .

With a garden full of brussels sprouts , are you quick to tip into their goodness ? Learn when and how to harvest those sprouts for the high tone and flavor !

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Tools You’ll Need

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As acool atmospheric condition crop , deal bundling up before channelize out to harvest your brussels sprout ! Aside from a warm sweater , here are a few tools to help ensure a quality harvest .

When to Harvest YourSprouts

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Brussels sprout’sgrowingseason is from spring to fall . As the last vegetable often exit in the garden , harvesting these " mini - cabbages " begins in mid - October , count on the hardiness zona in which you repose . Exposing brussels sprouts to a duad of frosts before harvest them is idealistic , as stale weather enhances their flavor and quality .

you could keep these vegetable in your garden if temperatures do not souse below 20 degree Fahrenheit . Brussels sprout are harvest - ready once unwavering , small ( not exceeding 1 to 1.5 in in diam ) , and bright gullible .

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How to Harvest Brussels Sprouts

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prepare Bruxelles sprout for harvest to see to it optimal quality and savour should start a few weeks before the factual veggies are quick . The growth rule of this plant life is bottom - up , think the sprout at the bottom will get on first . Once the lowest brussels sprouts have produce to an inch in diameter , write out the top 1 to 2 inches off the works .

Removing this portion of the plant will avail encourage the upper sprout to enlarge . absent some of the lower leafage may help with ontogenesis as well . However , it is of import to keep the upper leaves to aid continue feed the plant . Once the brussels sprout raise to the appropriate size of 1 to 1.5 column inch in diam , it is time to harvest them !

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Method 1: Harvest Individual Brussels Sprouts

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The first method acting of harvest is simply picking or cut the sprout off the straw . pop with the low sprout and pick as the other sprouts fledged . Harvesting capital of Belgium sprouts in this way allows for more to grow on the chaff while you glean , which can befall well into thesnow season ! If get together this way , call back to adequatelysupport the still hunt , if necessary , with a stakes to help it remain vertical . Keep picked sprouts fresh in the icebox for a few weeks .

Method 2: Harvest The Stalk

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The second way to reap your brussels sprouts is to remove all the leaf from the stalk and cut the intact stubble from the plant at the soil level . Keeping sprouts on the angry walk in this elbow room provide alimentation to the sprout even after harvesting . prune or blame the sprout off the stubble as you take , maintain in mind to use them within a few week .

Storage Tips

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There are many ways to salt away brussels pullulate if you are not using them immediately . To lay in a chaff of sprout , simply hang it upright in a cellar or cool dark space . To keep single sprout in the refrigerator , set them plebeian in a shaping bag and keep removing any yellow or black leaves that may appear for up to two weeks .

Freeze them to keep for three to five weeks . To do so , polish off the outer bed of leaves , wash away the sprout thoroughly , and blanch for three to five minutes , depend on their sizing . Blanching the sprout before freezing helps to retain optimum calibre and smell .

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Pro Tip : When cook your brussels sprouts , verify not to overdo it ! boil them for too farseeing will amplify their warm , bitter tang . Instead , try oven - roasting them for optimum sugariness .

Too Cool!

Brussels sprout genuinely do have so much to offer ! Making sure to harvest after a few pic to frost will only raise their flavour . right storage will allow you to enjoy them of late into the season ! All it take is following a few tips to make growing and harvesting this veg easy and delicious .

Do you grow these in yourhome garden ? How recently in the season do you glean ? input below with how your harvest is live on , and share with fellow Brussels sprout lovers !

Brussels sprouts and green cabbage growing in wooden boxes in the middle of a city as an example of urban argiculture or gardening

Brussels sprouts in winter on field covered snow

Brussel Sprout harvest

Brussels Sprouts