Brussels sprouts Roodnerf

'Roodnerf' is an original, fairly cold-hardy British variety that produces tasty, dark green Brussels sprouts with red veining. Excellent flavour. Sow from March to May under cover and from April to June outdoors. Harvest from November to February.

Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea gemmifera) are leaf vegetables belonging to the large Brassicaceae family (ex-Cole family). This biennial plant is grown as an annual for its small, cabbage-like axillary buds. It was developed during the 14^th century by Belgian market gardeners willing to increase their productivity. Because Brussels sprouts grow vertically, they take up little ground space and offer higher yields per m2 than regular cabbage.

Brussels sprouts are an autumn and winter vegetable par excellence. They have a sweet and delicate, comforting flavour that goes well with smoked bacon and chestnuts. They are traditionally eaten braised, sautéed or boiled to accompany meat and fish dishes. They can also be lightly steamed and eaten in cold salads. From a nutritional point of view, brussels sprouts are excellent: their energy value is low but they are very rich in vitamins C and B as well as containing lots of fibre, antioxidants and minerals.

Brussels sprouts are not as demanding as other types of cabbage. They thrive in moderately rich soil (high in nitrogen) with regular watering and plenty of sun. Amending with too much compost or manure will result in small, blown or burst sprouts. Best results are generally achieved in cool and rainy climates.

Harvest: Harvest Brussels sprouts by cutting them off the stem with a sharp knife, from the bottom upwards.

Storage: Brussels sprouts will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. They also freeze very well after being blanched in boiling salty water.

Good to know: Even if the vegetable garden is first and foremost a place for growing great quality veg, it’s always a good idea to leave a bit of room for flowers. Growing flowers alongside your vegetable plants will make your general gardening experience more enjoyable and is a great way to attract pollinators and repel garden pests! Flowers such as gaillardia, marigolds, zinnias, cosmos or nasturtiums can be sown in and around the rows of vegetables. Herbs such as dill can be very useful also. Bear in mind that some companion plants self-seed easily and can be a bit invasive (borage, chives, lemon balm etc.)