How to Grow Brussels Sprouts
Instructions for Growing Brussels Sprouts
in Your Vegetable Garden
| Nutrition | Watering Instructions | Harvesting |
| Climate | Fertilizing Instructions | Storage |
| Soil | Challenges | Tips |
| Planting |
Brussels Sprouts, as a member of the cabbage family, have the same basic garden growing requirements as cabbage. The small cabbage-like heads normally measure about 2” in diameter and grow from a tall central/main stem.
Growing Brussels Sprouts requires a long growing season of approx. 130 days. When planning your garden, be sure to allow enough time for this vegetable to mature. Harvesting after a frost improves their flavor.
How to Grow Brussels Sprouts - Nutrition Information
Contains: dietary fiber, Vitamin A, C, K, B6, Folate, Chromium, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Copper, Potassium, Manganese
How to Grow Brussels Sprouts - Climate & Growing Conditions
Brussels Sprouts prefer cool growing season. They tolerate frost, but don’t grow well in extended cold or hot periods. It's not advisable to try growing Brussel Sprouts if you're in a hot subtropical climate.
How to Grow Brussels Sprouts - Preparing the Garden Soil
Brussels Sprouts thrive in deeply dug garden beds rich in humus, with full sun and good drainage.
Gardening Tip for Growing Brussels Sprouts - Brussels Sprouts' heads won't form well when grown in sandy soils.
Growing brussels sprouts takes approx 5-6 months. You will want to protect the plants from wind damage by hilling soil around the plants during the growing season. If you would like the sprouts to mature together at the same time, removing the terminal bud once the plant is about 15” tall.
Brussels Sprouts grow best in soils with pH of 6.0 to 7.5 (How to test your garden soil pH level.)
Gardening Tip for Growing Brussels Sprouts - It is important to remove weeds, but be gentle as to not disturb the Brussels Sprouts shallow root system.
How to Grow Brussels Sprouts - Planting
Sow seeds, well spaced, in seed trays. Transplant the seedlings when the plants have grown to 4” tall. Plant outside when the garden soil is workable and danger of frost has passed.
For more information on starting seeds indoors, click here.
For the best conditions for growing brussels sprouts, the garden rows should be 2 feet apart. (You can sow rows of lettuce between to make the most of your space!).
How to Grow Brussels Sprouts - Watering
Water frequently. Once the plants are well established, mulching is recommended to help keep the soil evenly moist. Reduce the amount of watering a week or two before harvesting.
How to Grow Brussels Sprouts - Fertilizing
Provide the conditions for growing brussels sprouts by preparing their garden bed several weeks ahead of planting. Recommended fertilizers for this plant are: poultry manure and a complete fertilizer.
Fertilize again once you see the buds starting to form.
How to Grow Brussels Sprouts - Gardening Challenges
When growing brussels sprouts, you'll find that they're very prone to pests and diseases. Cabbage moths, aphids, slugs, and snails are the primary offenders. Downy mildew and club root are diseases that you may see. Yellowish areas around the leaves are telling you that there’s a magnesium deficiency (to resolve: water the soil around the plant with 1 oz Epsom salts in 5 qts of water.)
NOTE: Providing well drained soil is your best bet for avoiding most of the above problems.
Gardening Tip for Growing Brussels Sprouts - Practice good vegetable gardening by rotating your crops within your garden space with each new season. This will prevent many plant diseases.
How to Grow Brussels Sprouts - Harvesting
Harvest in late summer through to spring (depending upon the temperature extremes in your area).
Harvest Brussels Sprouts as soon as they are large enough to use. Pick the ones lower on the stalk first. Also remove the lower leaves on the stalk to help the buds at the top of the plant grow. Harvest frequently to promote a better yield.
How to Grow Brussels Sprouts - Storage
Cold Storage
Set the plants close together in a cold frame or cold cellar, with soil around the roots. Or, store in a shed or garage, under hay, for “fresh” Brussels sprouts all winter long.
See: How to Dehydrate Vegetables - BRUSSELS SPROUTS
See: How to Freeze Vegetables - BRUSSELS SPROUTS
Gardening Tips From Our Readers
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Note: the advice and information contained herein is based upon our experience and study. As with any advice, please apply at your own discretion.