RED BALL BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Brassica olearacea var. gemmifera

The best strain of ‘red' Brussels sprouts, these plants will grow to 3' and produce lots of small sweet sprouts that become positively purple in the cool of late autumn and early winter. Not only does it tolerate frost, it benefits from it.

Perfect for gardeners, this European selection may produce fewer and slightly smaller sprouts than common commercial strains, but the taste is superior. Once harvested, sprouts keep for several weeks in the refrigerator. Growers with cold basements, barns and sheds can uproot entire plants and keep them in those cold but sheltered locations for weeks or even months and harvest sprouts as needed. Excellent mild flavor raw, and extraordinarily sweet when roasted. Sprouts retain their color when cooked.

Sow these seeds indoors and transplant into the garden in spring. Space plants generously, about 2' in all directions. Like most brassicas, Brussels Sprouts prefer moist fertile soils, and these plants especially will appreciate regular water and fertilizer. Requires full sun. Where summers are hot, color will not begin to darken until autumn.

Packet contains at least 50 seeds.