Re: Brussels Sprouts

**jim allAn jallan6977@clarityconnect.com>**

Katherine Wendt wrote:

> 
> I put in transplants a couple of weeks ago, but I think I'm going to
> pop in a couple of seeds now and compare harvests.
> 
> What makes me nervous is what Jim Allen said about having to soak
> them to get the worms out. Earlier this year I had broccoli that was
> ready to be harvested while I was out of town. So I told DH he could
> go ahead and cut them, but that he should soak them in salt water for
> half an hour first to get the worms out. He swears he did it but when
> he steamed the broccoli, tons of worms crawled out. And he swears
> they were still wiggling when the broccoli was through steaming. So
> he threw out the whole lot and then refused to eat another mouthful
> of broccoli from the garden. Even though it was just side shoots that
> had no worms. Eventually I ripped out the broccoli altogether since
> it was a lot of room devoted to something he would no longer eat. So
> I guess I'm destined for the same discussion about the Brussels
> sprouts.
> 
   I doubt that 30 mins. would be enough soak time.  Leave them in brine
a couple hours.  Remember insects being small require very little air
and since there is air trapped in the sprouts I think the soaking would
need to be lengthy so that they would start suffering for air and come
out to the surface to get it.  Ask around about soaking them and see
what you can find out.  Meanwhile I will put the question out on the
organic gardening list and see what answers I get.  I know we have
several very smart people there who may know.  Several are
horticulturists and botanist.  College grad people who wont steer you
wrong.
-- 
   Jim allAn            Several new photos have been added to different
   Zone 5               albums.
   New York U.S.A. 200+ miles NW. of New York city
   Click or copy/paste to see my garden.

   <http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=1426380>
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