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

06 Jun 13, Ronald (Australia - temperate climate)
The last time I planted Sprouts they never grew any bigger than my little finger nail.Then a friend said to cut the leaves off, so as to let the goodness go to the sprout and not the leaves. I have planted them again this year, is that correct or not ??
28 Apr 13, Derek Victoria (Australia - temperate climate)
is there a gauge for testing the soil? if yes where do we get it from.
30 Apr 13, Sustainable Jill (Australia - temperate climate)
Most garden centres or larger hardware stores sell pH testing kits.
30 Apr 13, jo (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Derek. You can pick up pH testing kits from most garden supplies/hardware stores. When you test the soil make sure that you dont handle it (use a spoon) and that you get a selection from different areas where you're planting and mix it all together to get a representative sample. Then you mix it with the indicator liquid and compare the colour with the chart. this will give you the pH of the soil. It can then be amended with lime (for acid soils) or sulphur (for alkaline). these can be brought from the same shops.. regards, Jo
29 Mar 13, Margo Pten (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
This is my first attempt at growing Brussel Sprouts in Tasmania East Coast, do I need to do anything special as they are looking nice and leafy, but cannot see any actual sprouts yet.
23 Jan 14, Gerri (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Margo I had the same problem earlier this year and ended up eating my sprouts as spring greens. A friend who farms in UK told me they need a nitrogen-rich soil so although mine were in a commercial compost mix (Bunnings moo poo) I think that may have been the problem.
11 Mar 13, Kahanamoku (Australia - temperate climate)
Anyone got any tips on how to get the seeds to germinate and sprout? I dont seem to be having much luck 'undercover' - could it be that the temperature is still to hot given that we're in a strange heatwave in victoria at the moment?
30 Mar 13, Bob (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi , I had the same trouble till i put them into a plastic soft drink bottle which i cut the top half off at the taper .I kept the bottle without any drain holes and added 2 hanfulls of broken up horse manure then filled the rest with beach sand almost to the top .I soaked the sand with water and left it fora few days before planting 6 seeds and added the top half of the bottle to act as a mini glass house so no night time raiders could get to the shoots once they emerged. Left it so that it got the full sun till mid day and have just transplanted the 6 seedlings into the main bed. I'm going to put the plastic bottle parts over them till the get fully established. Hope this helps you .Bob
16 Jan 13, (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Sorry it should read birds eating my brusselsprouts
13 Jan 13, Violet Bossut (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
What can I use to stop eating my brussel sprouts. That is the only plants they go for.
Showing 141 - 150 of 198 comments

My Brussels sprout seeds are 175-200 day to maturity. I have tried to start in doors and plant out in June in a mostly shade area, the last 3 seasons, but have never had sprouts develop. I figured it was because we have been having too warm weather, and maybe not enough sun? This season I started in January indoors, and will put them out in March with some frost protection, with more sun. Thoughts?

- Kristen

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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.
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