This publication is part of the Home Garden series.
Brussels sprouts belong to the cole crop family, which includes cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and several leafy greens. The name Brussels comes from the city Brussels, Belgium, where the vegetable first became popular. Brussels sprouts are a cool season vegetable that can be grown both in the fall and early spring. They also take a long time to mature, which can make them a little bit of a challenge for the home gardener. For ease of growth, select and use transplants that are young and vigorous.
Varieties
It is important to choose the best variety available when looking to grow Brussels sprouts. Varieties such as Jade Cross E, Long Island Improved, Prince Marvel, and Valiant have a 90 day maturity rate. Jade Cross E has large sprouts and is easy to harvest. Long Island Improved is open-pollinated and is an old-time variety. Royal Marvel has 85 days to maturity, is very productive, and has tight sprouts.
Soil Preparation and Fertilization
Like most vegetables, Brussels sprouts require a minimum of six hours of sunlight daily. They prefer a fertile, well-drained, organic soil but will tolerate a wide range of soils. Brussels sprouts grow best in a soil that has a pH of 6.2 to 6.8. Submitting a soil test through your local University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office would be the best way to determine the pH of the soil and other fertility requirements.
Brussels sprouts grow best when planted as transplants in late summer or early spring. You should plant Brussels sprouts 15 to 18 in. apart in rows with about 30 in. between rows. Brussels sprouts are fairly heavy feeders, so they will need a heavy fertilization at planting time and several other applications evenly spaced out during the growing season to keep them producing. Boron is a minute nutrient used in small quantities by all plants but is particularly essential in developing good Brussels sprouts. Boron can be added by purchasing a premium fertilizer that contains micronutrients or by dissolving one level tablespoon of borax in 5 quarts of water and sprinkling it over a 50-sq-ft area. Fertilizer should be applied at planting time, and then additional nitrogen should be added when plants are about 12 in. tall. Re-fertilize with nitrogen every 3 to 4 weeks to keep plants producing.
Irrigation and Temperature
Irrigate Brussels sprouts frequently enough to keep the soil slightly moist, particularly during warmer periods of plant development. Mulching around plants with straw or wood chips will help conserve moisture and also reduce weed competition.
When temperatures get too warm, Brussels may become bitter. When the tops of the plants reach a height of 24 in. or more, pinch out the top portion of the plant to aid in forcing more energy down into the plant and into the Brussels sprouts themselves. These plants are cold hardy and can withstand a freeze. They can also be left on the plants and harvested on an as needed basis throughout the winter.
Managing Pests
While Brussels sprouts are not that difficult to grow, they do take a substantial amount of time before they begin to produce. Most Brussels sprouts do not bare sprouts until 90 to 100 days. During that time there are several issues you may need to concern yourself with. Keep a watchful eye for cabbage loopers and other caterpillar-like insects that will find their way into the developing heads and leaves of your plants and cause a lot of damage. You can control these larvae with organic products such as Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis). Bt is sold under the trade names of Dipel or Thuricide. Other insects to be on the lookout for include aphids or flea beetles. Aphids suck out vital nutrients and flea beetles eat needed foliage. Both can be controlled with organic options or traditional insecticides. See the current homeowner edition of the “Georgia Pest Management Handbook” (UGA Extension Special Bulletin 48) for more information.
Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni). Image by David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org
Occasionally, Brussels sprouts can also experience some disease problems. They are susceptible to Fusarium wilt, blackleg, and black rot, which can all cause your crops to fail. Growing resistant varieties and using registered fungicides can help reduce the incidence of these diseases. Using drip irrigation or soaker hoses will also help keep foliage dry, which in turn helps to limit the conditions needed for a disease to occur.
Flea beetle (Aphthona seriata). Image by USDA Agricultural Research Service, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org.
Harvesting and Storage
Brussels sprouts should be harvested as soon as their diameter is large enough (when they reach 1.5 to 2 in. in diameter or the size of a quarter). Remove them by twisting them off the plant, which will help prevent damaging the edible portion of the fruit, starting from the bottom and working your way upward. Remove some of the bottom leaves and stems as you harvest your way up the trunk. Continue to harvest Brussels sprouts in this manner all the way through the growing season. Store harvested Brussels sprouts in the refrigerator until they are ready to be cooked. They can also be frozen; for instructions, see the Family and Consumer Sciences publication “Preserving Food: Freezing Vegetables” (FDNS-E-43-5).
Status and Revision History
Published on Sep 27, 2015
Published with Full Review on Jul 13, 2022
FAQs
Sow seeds from early March to May, into prepared ground (see above), under cloches or fleece if the weather is still cold. Brussels are traditionally sown in a separate 'seedbed', rather than in the main veg plot, then transplanted in early summer, once more space becomes available.
What month do you plant Brussels sprouts? ›
Sow seeds from early March to May, into prepared ground (see above), under cloches or fleece if the weather is still cold. Brussels are traditionally sown in a separate 'seedbed', rather than in the main veg plot, then transplanted in early summer, once more space becomes available.
What is the secret to growing Brussels sprouts? ›
Brussels sprouts are cool season vegetables that prefer a sunny location and fertile, well-drained soil. Incorporate plenty of organic matter and a complete fertilizer into the area before planting. Plant seeds ¼-½ inch deep.
What not to plant next to Brussels sprouts? ›
What Not To Plant With Vegetables
| Vegetable | Bad Companion Plants |
|---|
| Broadbeans | Fennel, soybeans and dry beans |
| Brocolli and Calabrese | Peppers, beans, strawberries |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mustards, nightshades |
| Cabbage | Grapes |
27 more rowsBrussels sprouts need room to spread out, so space them 18- 24 inches apart in an area that gets 6 or more hours of sun daily and has well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.8. Before planting, improve native soil by mixing in several inches of compost or other rich organic matter.
Do Brussels sprout plants come back year after year? ›
Many Brussels sprouts varieties take about 90-100 days to grow until they are ready to harvest. Do Brussels sprouts grow back every year? Brussels sprouts are biennial, but treated as annuals; they go through two seasons before completing their life cycle.
How many Brussels sprouts does one plant produce? ›
Harvest and storage
As the leaves begin to turn a little yellow, break them off, leaving about a 2-inch stalk. This will give the sprouts more room to develop. Harvest brussels sprouts when the heads are firm and 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Each plant yields between 60 and 100 sprouts.
Do Brussels sprouts need a trellis? ›
It is not necessary to stake Brussels sprouts at the time of planting. If you find that maturing plants are getting top-heavy and prone to flopping over, stake each plant individually with a thick bamboo stake, wooden stake, or piece of rebar and a loose piece of twine.
Can Brussels sprouts be grown in pots? ›
Potting and Repotting Brussels Sprouts
If your garden doesn't offer good drainage and access to full sun, plant Brussels sprouts in large, moveable containers.
What is the best fertilizer for brussel sprouts? ›
Aim for a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, but try not to go overboard. Too much nitrogen will result in a lot of leafy growth and not enough sprouts developing along the stem. A 10-20-10 or 13-13-13 will work. For organic options with lower NPK, go for a 5-5-5 or a 5-7-5 and apply about every two weeks.
Onions and Garlic:
These pungent alliums are great companions for Brussels sprouts. Garlic and onions have strong scents are effective in deterring common pests like aphids and some beetles. Plus, they occupy a different space in the garden bed, ensuring efficient use of space.
Can you plant tomatoes with Brussels sprouts? ›
Brussels Sprouts Can Inhibit Growth
These two veggies compete for nutrients and therefore cannot be planted together. Members of the brassica family produce chemicals that inhibit proper growth in tomato plants (along with other nightshades like peppers and eggplants).
Can you plant cucumbers next to Brussels sprouts? ›
A wide variety of cabbage species such as cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi, kale, white cabbage, savoy cabbage, Brussels sprouts and pak choi are therefore very suitable as neighbors for cucumbers. Cabbage plants usually develop medium-deep or deep roots.
Do Brussels sprouts regrow after cutting? ›
There isn't a lot of published evidence out there that sprout cuttings will regrow into a full Brussels sprout plant. In some experimental gardening, some amateur gardeners noticed that individual Brussels sprouts can develop a root system on their own. You're welcome to give it a try!
Can you regrow store-bought Brussels sprouts? ›
However, it is possible to regrow Brussels sprouts from scraps. This is an easy way to get more from your harvest, especially if you can't eat all the sprouts. The best time to start this process is in the early summer for planting outdoors.
Do brussel sprouts need a cage to grow? ›
In exposed situations, support each plant by tying the main stem up to a stake or cane – if plants are shaken loose by the wind the root disturbance results in 'blown' sprouts or no sprouts at all. Protection from pigeons is also essential - a crop cage or netting will stop them damaging your crop.
Can you grow Brussels sprouts all year round? ›
Brussels sprouts are slow-growing, and can take up to 31 weeks to produce a crop. However, they crop from autumn through to spring, providing a valuable source of food in winter, when little else is available.
Can you plant Brussels sprouts in July? ›
Starts can be planted July through mid August. Since Brussels sprouts prefer cooler temperatures, choose an area in the garden that may be partially shaded by larger summer crops. Brussels sprouts will grow quite large, so space them 18‐24” apart in rows 24‐40” apart.
What time of year is best to buy brussel sprouts? ›
The exact time can vary depending on the weather and location, but they are usually available from October to March. The season for Brussels sprouts is relatively short, so it's best to enjoy them when they are fresh and in season for the best flavour and quality.
Do Brussels sprouts need full sun? ›
Brussels sprouts thrive in full sun, and in rich, consistently moist soil. Because Brussels sprouts and other plants in the cabbage family (such as kale, collards, or broccoli) are susceptible to such a wide range of soil-borne diseases, it's a good idea to rotate among various areas of the garden each season.
