The Star: January 26, 2017

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36 Thursday January 26 2017 Gardening follow us on facebook.com/riseupchristchurch The Star Brussels sprouts: Love ’em or hate ’em Some of the reasons to love Brussels sprouts, and how to grow them • By Janet Wade BRUSSELS SPROUTS top the list of New Zealand’s most disliked vegetables. The Belgians aren’t rushing to claim credit for these almost universally reviled vegetables, though the link to their capital city appears to have come from the vegetable’s popularity in Belgium during the Middle Ages and stuck as they spread to the rest of the world. To still be with us today, Brussels sprouts must have something going for them – and indeed they do! If the sprouts are picked when their heads are tight and no more than 2.5-5cm across, they are deliciously tender and have a milder, sweeter taste than their often tough, bitter, store-bought or frozen cousins. Likewise, the unpleasant, sulphurous odour that is associated with them doesn’t occur unless they are overcooked. The smell is produced by sulphur-containing compounds called glucosinolates that research indicates help prevent cancer (only broccoli contains more). Packed with an abundance of other vitamins and minerals, all in all, they are considered one of the world’s healthiest foods. Originating in the northern hemisphere, where Brussels sprouts are traditionally served as part of the British Christmas dinner (no doubt to the chagrin of British children), they are exclusively a crop for New Zealand’s colder climate areas. Ohakune and Oamaru are where most of our commercially-grown Brussels sprouts are produced. In saying that, the ones in the accompanying photographs were grown in Auckland; however, plants grown in warm areas are more likely to produce loose heads (unrecognisable as Brussels sprouts), bolt to seed, and without frost the flavour of the sprouts isn’t as good. Warmer climates also allow their main pests to proliferate such as caterpillars, aphids and slugs and snails. Birds, too, can be a problem, targeting the seedlings and emerging sprouts (pigeons in particular). Netting can be used to keep the birds and butterflies at bay, but you will need to keep a careful watch for aphids, which secrete a chemical that causes the leaves to curl over to provide a hiding place. Brussels sprouts are normally planted very The magazine for gardeners who like To geT Their hands dirTy www.gardener.kiwi 100% CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Modern hybrid varieties, such as these ‘Red Ribs’, have had the bitterness bred out of them; Firm the soil down around the seedlings well, so the plants can support their top-heavy growth, and the sprouts remain tight and firm; Keep an eye out for aphids, which secrete an enzyme that causes the leaves to curl over and hide them; The sprouts begin to form in the leaf axils once the plants are mature, meaning a long wait for the end result; Chocolate Brussels sprouts find equal favour with people who love Brussels sprouts and those who hate them; The sprouts begin to mature from the bottom of the stalk. Topping the plant concentrates all its energy into the sprouts and causes them to mature together. early in spring, and again in mid-to-late summer. Most varieties take at least three to five months to produce a harvest because the sprouts only form once the plant reaches maturity. The plants are best started in seed trays then transplanted around six weeks later, once they have four to six leaves, to a site in full sun, with well-drained soil, enriched with a high-nitrogen general garden fertiliser. Space the plants with at least 50cm between them, in rows around 75cm apart. PARKHOUSE MULCH & FEED Blended by our Master Mixologist, will give your garden food, shelter from the sun and keep your garden looking great. It contains a blend of Straw, Chicken Manure, Gypsum, Peat and Bark fines. $55 PER CUbiC MEtRE Landscape Lane (off Lunns Rd) P. 348 2915 OPEN 7 DAYS Remember... we are NOT in Parkhouse Road NO GREEN WASTE IN ANY OF OUR COMPOST Sink the seedlings down to their first set of leaves and firm the soil around them well, so that the plants can support their top-heavy growth, and the sprouts don’t develop loose heads because the plants rock around in the wind. Side-dress with a high-nitrogen fertiliser four weeks after planting and again at eight weeks, but don’t apply further nitrogen once the sprouts start to form. Keep the plants evenly moist during the growing season. A mulch can help to keep the soil cool and moist and suppress weed growth. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW When to plant Mid-late summer and again in early spring. Where to plant Full sun in nitrogenenriched, well-drained soil. Ouruhia ‘The greatest little nursery in town’ www.ouruhianursery.co.nz SPECIALIST LANDSCAPE NURSERY • Iceburg bush roses $10.99 3 for $30 • Fruit Trees • Berry and Citrus Plants • Topiary from $24.99 HUGE NATIVE SELECTION Plus lots more! On site garden design Cnr Marshland & Turners Road 8.30-5pm • 7 DAYS • Ph 323 8588 Eftpos, credit cards and most garden gift vouchers welcome
The Star follow us on facebook.com/riseupchristchurch Thursday January 26 2017 37 Was $3200 Come in and view nOW our amazing Melbourne 4 piece Outdoor Suite range of outdoor/indoor pots and water features Rattan pots Buy one and get one more of the same price FREE! Welcome to our new location: 69 Moorhouse Ave (park end) MASSIVe BLOWOUT! eVeRYTHInG 25-60% OFF! $1750 Auckland 4 piece Outdoor Suite Round Lounge Chair 25% off Indoor Pots Was $2750 nOW $1600 Was $995 nOW $745 All Plants 25% off New season’s range of pots 25% off Last seasons range of outdoor pots BUY 1 AnD GeT 2 MORe OF THe SAMe pRICe FRee 60% off ReD & BLACK pOTS Exciting new range of exotic water features Best range of water features and statues 15% -50% off 25% off 69 Moorhouse Ave, www.garden.co.nz Phone: 365 9945 Email: info@garden.co.nz Open: Monday–Friday 9am–5pm Saturday and Sunday 10am–4pm Hagley Park Moorhouse Ave Hagley Ave Selwyn St Moorhouse Ave Stewart St Horatio St Montreal St Moorhouse Ave
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The Star: January 26, 2017

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