Growing Brussels sprouts

Brassica sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

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

(Best months for growing Brussels sprouts in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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 7°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 45 - 60 cm 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
  • Mature brussels sprouts
  • Young plant (CC BY-SA 3.0 WikiMedia)

Grown for its small (typically 2.5 cm diameter) leafy green buds, which resemble miniature cabbages.

Suited to growing in cooler climates.

Brussel Sprouts will not grow good "sprouts" in warm areas - they open and are floppy.

In warm areas they are likely to become infested with aphids. Pick formed sprouts from the bottom of the stems leaving the plant growing. For winter use in very cold areas, dig up plants that have heads developed and set close together in a cold frame or cellar. Pack soil firmly round the roots. Keep cool but not freezing and they will continue to mature. (Planning an Idaho Vegetable Garden: Educational Communication online Publishing Catalog Gardening www. cals.uidaho.edu/ edComm/catalog.asp.)

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Brussels sprouts

Remove any discoloured outer leaves.
Cut in half and steam with other vegetables.
Do not overcook as that produces the distinctive smell that puts people off eating Brussels sprouts!
They go well with a chopped tomato and onion mix.
Traditionally served with roasted chestnuts for Xmas dinner in UK.

Your comments and tips

15 May 14, Theresa (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I planted my brussels sprout seeds in October of 2013. Here it is May 2014 and they are still as small as pencil erasers! Will they ever grow here?
04 Nov 22, Deborah j Higgins (USA - Zone 9b climate)
did they mature? enough fertilizer and water? no Asian worms depleting the soil?
13 Apr 15, Akela (USA - Zone 13a climate)
what time of year should I start brussels, started some in march, but they are just now 4 weeks later about 2 inches above ground.
21 Feb 16, Jaci Wilkins (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Please tell me whereI can purchase dwarf Brussels Sprout plants in Idaho. If not available, where can I purchase seeds. Thank you, Jaci wilkins
13 Jun 16, Kathy (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Hi! When it says "S" it means start seeds inside, when it says "T" it means to transplant those seedlings outside in the garden. When it says "P" for plant outside does that mean you plant the seeds outside? I'm unsure because, take Brussels Sprouts for example - It says "S" in March and "P" in May and June; what is the "P" referring to? I'm just confused because some vegetables have an "S" and a "T". Thanks for any help you can give me!!! "Plant in garden" means to sow seed directly into the garden where you want the plant to grow.
16 Aug 17, Lisa McCartney (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Trying to understand when to plant my brussels sprout seeds in Zona 10a. It says about P = sow seeds in Oct. Is that meaning to sow seeds directly in my garden? Because after that is says to start seeds in trays and plant out 4 - 6 weeks. Should I start them in seed trays and if so do I plant now so they can be transplanted in my garden in Oct or do I wait until Oct and just plant the seeds directly in my garden? Sorry the info is confusing.
17 Aug 17, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Use seed trays to start your brussels sprouts, plant out as it suggests on the web page. Brussels Sprouts prefer cold/cool climate, so you need to grow them in your cooler months. October is a suggestion, November might work better if your weather is still warm in October.
20 Nov 18, ed mccoskey (USA - Zone 6a climate)
what is the best variaty to grow in zone 6a
30 Jan 19, Pab (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Cani grow brussel sprouts in the spring and summer
04 May 19, Tina (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I planted my brussel sprout in early October I trimmed back all the lower leaves and I'm barely starting to get fruit now it's the first weekend in May and I'm getting little fruit about the size of a pencil eraser does it normally take this long?
Showing 1 - 10 of 43 comments

My Brussels sprout seeds are 175-200 day to maturity. I have tried to start in doors and plant out in June in a mostly shade area, the last 3 seasons, but have never had sprouts develop. I figured it was because we have been having too warm weather, and maybe not enough sun? This season I started in January indoors, and will put them out in March with some frost protection, with more sun. Thoughts?

- Kristen

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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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