Growing Brussels sprouts

Brassica sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in Australia - tropical regions

  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 45°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 18 - 24 inches apart
  • Harvest in 14-28 weeks. Pick sprouts when small. .
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile)
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chili, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard

Your comments and tips

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19 Apr 12, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Sprouts will continue to form up the stem, so pick from the bottom first. You can also cut the top and and eat that when you have had enough sprouts off the plant.
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19 Apr 12, Manny (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Than you Liz.Much appreciated. Manny
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13 May 12, Gaye Hodge (Australia - arid climate)
What a comprehensive and helpful site for people like me living in an arid zone [Alice Springs - Australia]. We have red sandy caly predominant soiul. What are the best fertilisers for winter vegetables such as broccoli and brussels sprouts?
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12 Sep 12, ron in cannerra (Australia - temperate climate)
Plenty of leaves and sprouts But are just hollow I think this is food needed if so what type.
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09 Apr 13, Eddie Scutter (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hollow sprouts (or any member of the same family like Broccolli) indicates Boron deficiency
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21 Sep 12, Sue Leonard (Australia - temperate climate)
Have never grown sprouts before. One plant is doing well, quite tall but now is covered in yellow flowers, is this normal, it is now, mid September. What can I do..Thank you..
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26 Sep 12, Steven PASSERI (Australia - temperate climate)
My Sprouts look very healthy and there are lots of very small sprouts like small finger nail size all over them but now they have yellow flowers all over the top of the plants. Does this mean they are have gone to seed?
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15 Nov 12, Andrew S (Australia - temperate climate)
Managed to get the kids to eat them.. halved..steamed ..then added to balsalmic vinegar, olive oil and a dash of rock salt and pepper.. like a warm brussel sprout salad...
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13 Jan 13, Violet Bossut (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
What can I use to stop eating my brussel sprouts. That is the only plants they go for.
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16 Jan 13, (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Sorry it should read birds eating my brusselsprouts
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Showing 41 - 50 of 197 comments
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my brussels sprouts have grown beautifully and I couldn't stop from harvesting a few large green leaves and shreading them - lightly steaming and enjoying them as another 'vegie". No sign of sprouts on the stem yet and plants are about 30cm high and vigorously healthy--the centre seems to be loosely forming into a "little cabbageish head", should I pick this to promote sprouts forming on stem or would this be not a good idea----HELP---I havn't grown these before.

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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