Brussels sprouts are a long-season crop. They take most of the growing season to mature, but the wait pays off. Sprouts picked after a few fall frosts taste sweet and nutty.
The sprouts grow like tiny cabbages along a tall, thick stem. One plant can give you dozens of sprouts.
When to plant Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts need about 90 to 110 days from transplant to harvest. Time them so the sprouts form in the cool weather of fall.
In cold-winter gardens, start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost. Plant the seedlings out around your last frost date. They grow all summer and are ready to pick in fall.
In hot-summer areas, start seeds in early summer and plant out in midsummer. The sprouts then form in fall and winter, when it is cooler.
Where to plant Brussels sprouts
- Full sun, at least 6 hours a day
- Rich, well-drained soil with lots of compost
- A soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0
- A bed that did not grow cabbage-family crops last year
Rotating beds helps prevent clubroot and cuts down on pests.
How to plant Brussels sprouts
- Work 2 inches (5 cm) of compost into the bed.
- Space plants 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm) apart, in rows 30 to 36 inches (75 to 90 cm) apart.
- Set each transplant a little deeper than it sat in its pot.
- Firm the soil around the stem and water well.
- Cover with row cover to keep out cabbage butterflies and flea beetles.
Plants grow 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm) tall. In windy spots, stake them or hill soil around the stems so they do not tip over.
Water and feeding
Brussels sprouts are heavy feeders. Give them 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 4 cm) of water a week. Mulch keeps the soil cool and moist through summer.
Side-dress with compost or a balanced fertilizer about a month after planting, and again in midsummer. Do not overdo nitrogen late in the season. Too much can give you loose, leafy sprouts.
How to get bigger sprouts at the same time
Sprouts form from the bottom of the stem up. The ones at the bottom are ready first.
If you want the whole stalk to be ready at once, top the plant. About 3 to 4 weeks before you want to harvest, cut off the growing tip at the top of the stem. The plant stops growing taller and puts its energy into the sprouts.
As sprouts form, you can also snap off the lower leaves that turn yellow. That gives the sprouts more room and better airflow.
How to harvest Brussels sprouts
Pick sprouts when they are firm, tight, and 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) across. Start at the bottom of the stem and work up. Twist them off or cut them with a knife.
Do not wait too long. Sprouts left on the stem too long open up and turn yellow.
Brussels sprouts taste best after frost. Cold weather turns some of the starch in the sprouts into sugar. Mature plants handle frosts down to about 20°F (-7°C).
Before a deep freeze, cut the whole stalk at the base. Pull off the leaves and store the stalk in a cool place. The sprouts stay fresh on the stalk for a week or two. Loose sprouts keep for a few weeks in a bag in the fridge.
Best Brussels sprouts varieties
| Variety | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Long Island Improved’ | Heirloom | Compact, reliable, good for small gardens |
| ‘Jade Cross’ | Hybrid | Handles heat better than most |
| ‘Diablo’ | Hybrid | Big yields of uniform sprouts |
| ‘Falstaff’ | Open-pollinated | Red-purple sprouts that keep some color when cooked |
Common Brussels sprouts problems
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Loose, open sprouts | Heat while sprouts form, too much nitrogen, or loose soil | Time planting so sprouts form in fall, firm the soil |
| No sprouts | Planted too late or not enough time | Plant earlier next year, top the plants in fall |
| Holes in leaves and green caterpillars | Cabbage worms | Use row cover and hand-pick |
| Gray clusters inside sprouts | Cabbage aphids | Spray them off with water early, before they move into the sprouts |
| Plants tip over | Wind and tall stems | Stake plants or hill soil around stems |
Here is more on how to get rid of cabbage worms and aphids on plants.
More cabbage family crops
Brussels sprouts grow the same way as their cousins:
Seed companies I like
These are the seed companies I order from for my own garden.
- Botanical Interests: beautiful packets with growing notes printed inside
- High Mowing Organic Seeds: certified organic, grown in Vermont
- True Leaf Market: big selection of hybrids, microgreens, and cover crops
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