Over wintered brussels sprouts

I have five plants that emerged from the snow melt with what look like good brussels sprouts on them. I had not harvested them in the fall because they were not mature (1/4" - 1/2"), however, now they appear to be mature.

They were covered with two quilted blankets, during the first frosts, to allow adjoining cauliflowers to fully mature (which did and we ate in late fall - early winter). However, I left the quilts on over the winter and when I pulled them off today I was shocked to see the five plants full of 1" - 2" wide brussels sprouts that look just like the ones I expected to pick in the fall.

Early winter was mild followed by a bitter cold, snowy, mid - late winter.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and, if so, did they harvest and eat the produce?

BTW - I've 'over wintered' globe artichokes with help from Northwestern Univ., but, it required much more special handling and I was surprised to see these just 'happen'.



This message was edited Mar 17, 2007 8:47 PM

I have never tried to overwinter anything. Did you eat them yet? If so, how were they tasty?

We've had more mild weather, so I've let the sit. I'll try a few in the next few days and let you know.

ahh jeez I'd kill for a fresh artichoke...lol what are the chances of SE TX ever being cold enough for me to grow those LOL

Why does it need to be cold to grow artichokes? There are huge artichoke farms in CA practically on the coast, and it sure doesn't get cold there. = + ) I've always heard that it was hard to grow them in cold areas because they have to be protected from frost/freezing. Here is some info on growing artichokes - http://www.ehow.com/how_9881_grow-artichokes.html http://wy.essortment.com/howtogrowarti_ozn.htm Try a google search for varieties that will grow in your area.

Cheers !

I have friends in Moreno Valley California that grow artichokes.. that's close to LA. There is only one kind that will grow here and that is as an annual.. My friend's "chokes" come back every year..sigh

To prevent the 6-leggers from having all the harvest - I planted Brussles Sprouts on Labor Day.

We have harvested most of them this month - absolutely wonderful - and the leaves are, too. DW has used then to make cabbage rolls - she blanched, vacuum sealed, and froze all we did not eat - we will have fresh all summer. The top leaves formed great small cabbages - used them in the corned beef on St. Pat's day.

Jazzpunkin - I know right where Moreno Valley is. Gets really hot there, but rarely cold. Beautiful area though.

I did find some information on cold-tolerant artichokes. Since I don't like 'em, I never looked 'em up before. Monrovia sells the plants and says Green Globe Improved is hardy to Zone 6 (-10 to 0 degrees). Another site said Zone 5. Since Green Globe Improved apparently doesn't produce artichokes the first season, you would maybe want plants and not seeds on this variety.

I also found a site that is hybridizing for cold-tolerance in artichokes: http://www.psrseed.com/globeartichokeseed.html Emerald to 0 degrees and Northern Star which they have tested to sub-zero.

Give it a shot. Why not?

Everyone around here says I can't grow everbearing strawberries in AL, that it gets too hot here. I found a variety called Eversweet which is supposed to take 100 degree temps and and continue producing fruit. Well, I have 75 plants in the ground. We shall see. Maybe they're right -- but maybe they're wrong and I'll have strawberries this summer. I figure it's worth the 20 bucks the plants cost just to see what I get.

Cheers,

Karen