One of my gardening goals is to expand the season. Here in New England, it’s a challenge to always have fresh nutritious greens. There’s only so much you can grow in a grow box.
Brussels sprouts are becoming a go-to winter garden staple. Started in the grow box in the spring and was placed in the hoop house in April, then in the ground around May (end of May in NH). During the hottest days, a shade cloth was draped over a row tunnel with insect netting (tulle).
If you can keep the bugs, slugs, and nature’s surprises from overtaking the crop and make it to winter, you will be surprised how well these “little cabbages” will keep.
We just took a frozen bag of these out of the freezer from 2 years ago. We all decided they were bitterly unedible. But the little leftovers picked out of the garden this December, straight from the snow and into the pot were a delight!
When purchasing seeds, look for varieties that produce large sprouts (1-1.5 inches). Also if you plan to save seeds from OP or heritage varieties (if you can find them), it’s said that the plants will take 2 years to produce seeds. I yet have to get this far.
As far as extending the season, this vegetable will most likely be grown here every year.
