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

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18 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
It says April May here. Probably OK to do now. Probably not much success because they are a cooler weather crop.
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14 Jan 18, Craig (Australia - temperate climate)
If you're in Melbourne then you planted waaaay too early. December/Jan sowing of seed works best in Melbourne. BS are a cold season crop, but they need to be well-established, healthy and vigorous plants when the cooler months of autumn set in around April/May. If you can get hold of seedling now, prep ground and plant them out at the end of the month or direct sow seeds in the ground right now.
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16 Nov 17, Agnes James (Australia - temperate climate)
I am in Melbourne, planted Brussel Sprouts late September, they went into flower and seed now, only few tiny bulbs looking BS on the base, further up all opened up and going to flower. What should I do? Thank you
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20 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Did you check any planting guide for BS? You planted them about 3-4 mths too late. Dig them in.
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08 Oct 17, Kathy (Australia - temperate climate)
Never grown Brussel sprouts before. They have grown high, but also have yellow flowers, no sprouts as yet. Will they grow now, or remove the plants?
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09 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Maybe let grow for another month and sees what happens. Possibly you should have planted quite a bit earlier. I have the same problem with savoy cabbage the last 2 yrs. Producing lots of leaves and no heart. Temps are now high teens at night and around 30 in the day - probably too hot for cabbage broccoli here.
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08 Oct 17, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
Depending if you live in a cool or warm temperate climate, and what month you planted them in. It could be too late if it is to warm where you live, otherwise give it a bit longer to see if they produce.
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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.
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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.
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31 May 17, Sarah Johnson (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi what is the best fertiliser for my brussel sprouts in pots some say Tui Vegetable food but I am reading to avoid too much nitrogen as they are 30cm tall now. some say Tui Novatec premimum or blood and bone???? so confusing thanks very much kind regards Sarah
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First time growing Brussel Sprouts. Is it o.k. to cut off the larger outer leaves if they are yellowed or otherwise damaged? Will that affect the sprouts in any way?

- Novene Manley

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