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 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
27 Jan 20, anon (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Sprouts are more a winter thing than Summer I thought. I don't know about cool climate requirements.
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Jun 19, Colin Robinson (Australia - temperate climate)
I would like to be able to purchase some Brussel tops, as they make a great green to eat with a good roast and the green water makes a fantastic gravy. Do you know anywhere in NSW that I can purchase some? We live in Goulburn NSW
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Jun 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If you are talking the top of the plant then a farmer who grows brussels.
Reply or Post a new comment
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
28 May 23, Nicole (USA - Zone 9b climate)
We planted ours in September. Our plants got huge by February but the actual sprouts remained tiny...and spicy! We discovered how delicious the leaves are so now we grow brussel sprouts for the leaves, rather than the brussels themselves :)
Reply or Post a new comment
01 May 19, janet (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I need the broussel sprouts seeds can I get I an in Kenya
Reply or Post a new comment
19 May 19, Melony Hendricks (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi I can mail you some. Let me know if you're sorted. I'm not a seller. No need to pay me.
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Mar 19, Rob Lines (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have been growing Brussel sprouts in Christchurch successfully for several years and have found Christmas Day the best time to plant them. They need this long period of pre winter growth to become strong and to form the sprouts.
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Dec 20, Rob C (New Zealand - temperate climate)
The Syngenta sprout variety was Abacus.
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Dec 20, Rob c (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Mid December, manawatu, plant seedlings. But ONLY the variety that produces sprouts, plant xtra plants through to early feb. I’ve grown BS for 15 yrs, generally now very successful. Eating from May to end September 20 plants, so lot sprouts, Variety biggest issue to success. I was in Adelaide, Aus, saw 5 acre paddock big plants, what variety I asked? It was a syngenta seed. Nursery on st George’s rd, Hastings had some, these grew very well as any sprout that could form tight sprouts in Adelaide, in the heat, would do better in manawatu.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 61 - 70 of 197 comments
See comments for all plants

Did you read this article? It said yes we should absolutely cut off any discolored or damaged leaves, the same goes with EVERY plant in the garden. The reason is because the plant will focus all of its energy on trying to fix its damaged leaves so you should avoid it wasting energy like that and chop them off!!! You want the plant to focus ALL of its energy on growing the actual fruits or whatever it’s supposed to grow.

- GodsChild17

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.