Brassica oleracea( Gemmifera Group)

Plant Family

Brassicaceae

Plant Botanical Name

Brassica oleracea( Gemmifera Group)

Photo by: MARK A. MILLER

Plant Common Name

Brussels Sprouts

General Description

If you love Brussels sprouts then you will really enjoy growing this late season kohl crop. This cool season vegetable was first cultivated in late medieval or renaissance times in what is now Belgium. It was brought to the United States in the mid nineteenth century and began to be heavily cultivated there in the mid twentieth century. Typically grown as an annual, it traces its ancestry to Brassica oleracea, a fleshy-leaved, short-lived perennial from coastal areas of western and southern Europe.

Brussels sprout plants have strong upright central stems lined with long-stalked fleshy cabbage-like leaves. Tight rosettes of leaves resembling miniature cabbages develop in the leaf axils, maturing from the base of the plant upwards. Similar to cabbage in flavor, these "buds" do not fully develop until late in the season, and become most delectable after light frost. Hot weather causes flaccid, loose, bitter-tasting buds. Although cool weather enhances flavor, plants may flower (or "bolt") following extended chilly spells.

This cool weather crop prefers full sun and fertile, organic-rich garden soil with ample drainage. In areas with short growing seasons it is sown in early spring, but in regions with long hot summers it is best planted in summer for winter harvest. It makes a good winter crop for mild climates. Days to harvest vary from cultivar to cultivar but most mature in 80 to 110 days. As with all members of Brassica oleracea, it is susceptible to a number of pests, including cabbage loopers and several other types of caterpillars.

Characteristics

• AHS Heat Zone

  6 - 1

• USDA Hardiness Zone

  7 - 11

• Sunset Zone

  A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

• Plant Type

  Vegetable

• Sun Exposure

  Full Sun, Partial Sun

• Height

  2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m

• Width

  1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m

• Bloom Time

  Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer

• Native To

  Southern Europe, Western Europe, Mediterranean

Growing Conditions

• Soil pH

  Neutral

• Soil Drainage

  Well Drained

• Soil type

  Loam, Sand

• Growth Rate

  Fast

• Water Requirements

  Average Water

• Habit

  Upright/Erect

• Seasonal Interest

  Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

• Flower Interest

  Showy

• Flower Color

  Yellow

• Foliage Color (Spring)

  Green, Gray Green, Dark Green

• Foliage Color (Summer)

  Green, Gray Green, Dark Green

• Foliage Color (Fall)

  Green, Gray Green, Dark Green

• Foliage Color (Winter)

  Green, Gray Green, Dark Green

• Fragrant Flowers

  Yes

• Fragrant Fruit

  No

• Fragrant Foliage

  Yes

• Bark or Stem Fragrant

  No

• Flower Petal Number

  Single

• Repeat Bloomer

  No

• Showy Fruit

  No

• Edible Fruit

  No

• Showy Foliage

  Yes

• Foliage Texture

  Bold

• Foliage Sheen

  Matte

• Evergreen

  Semi-Evergreen

• Showy Bark

  No

Special Characteristics

• Usage

  Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable

• Sharp or Has Thorns

  No

• Invasive

  No

• Self-Sowing

  Yes