skip to main content

Vegetable Gardening

brussels sprouts

14 years ago

My raised beds are cleaned up and ready to winter. I have a few plants left in the ground since they still seemed viable. One is a brussels sprout approx. 4ft. tall, a first year rhubarb and a flat leaf parsley. How cold can the brussels sprout stand? The sprouts are still kind of small. I'm hoping for a few more warmish/sunny days before winter sets in... The parsley is perrenial? Rhubarb, I have read can only be eaten after the 3rd year. Is this correct? Can't believe winter is almost here...

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

rxkeith
14 years ago
i have dug brussels sprouts out from under 3 feet of snow in january up in the U.P. in michigan a couple times, so they can take a lot of cold. yours may not grow much bigger at this time of year. growth slows down as temps drop. they will still be tasty regardless of size

keith
0
cyrus_gardner
14 years ago
I had once a brussels sprout that lived for a couple of years. I think, I finally pulled it up.
Just break off the top, it will grow back.
0
Related Discussions
Brussel sprouts starting to put sprouts!!!
Q
Comments (5)
Im not sure, this is a first year for me on brussel's....Is the leaf stalks still in good shape from you cutting them off? The sprouts grow at the base of the leaf stems, so if there is no place for them to grow that might be a problem. BUT its still early, and theres plenty of time for them to grow new healthy leaves!!!! -cass
...See More
no Brussel sprouts - sprouts
Q
Comments (2)
It's far too early. They never start to initiate sprouts until daylength and night temps decline in late, late summer. Look for sprout initiation to start around Labor Day, and sprouts to begin to size in late Sept, becoming full sized in October and into November. Your plant has a lot of growing to do yet before it makes any sprouts. BUT, if you don't see anything forming by the end of Sept, cut the top off to send it into sprout-formation mode.
...See More
Brussel Sprouts Never Sprouted!!
Q
Comments (7)
Naturegirl, my tomatoes are alive, but barely. The rest of them look like they are being eaten by any number of things. I got maybe 5 good ones, the rest of the ones that *would* have been good I think were eaten by the squirrels. The ones that are next to ripen have holes. :( Bummer. I only planted the yellow, low acid ones, and my husband was sort of responsible for the veggie garden this year - and since he doesn't eat tomatoes and doesn't think I should either (he's into the blood type diet and we're "type A" - meaning avoid tomatoes), they were a bit neglected and never properly staked, so a lot ended up drooping to the ground. I was lazy and didn't take care of it myself, I'm not really a true gardener, obviously, but next year I think I will try the little yellow cherry tomatoes, the pear shaped ones. Maybe they will ripen quicker and I can get them before the bugs and squirrels do. I really had no idea the Brussels sprouts were such a late fall crop, so hopefully we'll get something from those. None of the other cruciferous things did particularly well, though we did finally get some decent kale. The plants never got very big, but the bugs didn't bother those. The broccoli on the other hand got huge, but very full of holes and produced such tiny florets. Not worth the amount of space they took up.
...See More
When do brussels sprouts develop sprouts?
Q
Comments (11)
I had brussel sprouts in the spring that did squazoo, all summer they sat and grew. They are now over 4' tall and have big sprouts up the stem about halfway and then decrease until tiny tiny at the top. Our spring here was warmish and then bam, right into mid summer in temp. I guess it inhibited the growth. I was patient, actually didn't need that specific space, and it appears I will get produce after all.
...See More
skeip
14 years ago
I'm in S WI, I still have three stalks standing, out of 10. If you haven't already, knock off all leaves along the stems and cut off the complete growing top. The sprouts themselves are still photosynthesizing and this will help to divert the remaining energy to increasing the size of the sprouts. We have been in the mid 20's here and the sprouts and kale just keep getting better!!
0
namfon
14 years ago
: re Parsley, it is a Biennial which means you get the leaves ( or ROOT ) the first year and the second year it sends up a stalk and goes to seed.

I have not heard about waiting to consume Rhubarb stems

good luck with your B.Sprouts and please update us with your results and tell us if you tried removing the top and leaves to divert more energy into the sprouts
0
cyrus_gardner
14 years ago
With parsley being as described,(second year bolting) I think it depends on how you handle them. If you cut/harvest the leaves regularly it will not bolt easily. But if leave it there on its own as if it were for show or catterpilars then sure it will bolt.
Also climate is a factor. Parsley is cold loving herb and as such in hot weather it will have a greater tendency to bolt.
0
lolear
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the advice. I have cut off the top and will keep you posted!
0
lolear
Original Author
14 years ago
Here's what I had read about rhubarb:

During the first year of planting, the stalks should not be picked, since food from the leaves is needed to nourish the roots for the next year's growth. One light picking may be taken during the year following planting if the plants are vigorous, and beginning the second year following planting, the entire plant may be harvested.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/rhubarb-growing.html
0

Related Stories

COOL-SEASON CROPS Cool-Season Vegetables: How to Grow Brussels Sprouts

By Marianne Lipanovich

If you love 'em (you know who you are), fall and spring are the right times for planting these veggies in your edible garden

0

GARDENING GUIDES 11 Favorite Edibles for Your Cool-Season Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant crunchy carrots, crisp radishes, tender peas and other vegetables for fall and spring harvests

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: Create Your Own Farm-to-Table Experience

Create an edible garden with these tools, seeds and planters — then enjoy the bounty at your table

0

FARM YOUR YARD Houzz Call: Home Farmers, Show Us Your Edible Gardens

By Stacy Briscoe

We want to see where your tomatoes, summer squashes and beautiful berries are growing this summer

DECORATING GUIDES An Expat’s Guide to Making a Home Away From Home

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

How do you stay balanced when each foot is in a different culture? You take a stand where you hang your hat

FARM YOUR YARD 14 Crazy Places to Grow Edibles

By Annie Thornton

Some Houzzers may lack ground for gardening, but they’re never short on imagination

GARDENING GUIDES Organic Matters: Thwart Insect Pests With Trap Crops

By Therese Ciesinski

Add a few sacrificial plants to your garden to lure insects away from the harvest

FALL GARDENING 7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax

GARDENING GUIDES Mid-Atlantic Gardener's January Checklist

Scatter berries while ye may, be kind to your fair-feathered friends and try a time-saving compost trick that will keep you out of the cold

KITCHEN DESIGN Not a Big Cook? These Fun Kitchen Ideas Are for You

By Laura Gaskill

Would you rather sip wine and read than cook every night? Consider these kitchen amenities

Sponsored

Landscape Management Group

29 Reviews

High Quality Landscaping Services in Columbus

More Discussions

Overnight low of 43 - peppers ok?

15

More bite marks

2

Tiny long thin bugs at night eating leaves

9

oregano leaf sizes?

6

How do you make a tomato cage bigger

3