Growing Brussels sprouts

Brassica sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in Australia - tropical regions

  • 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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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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18 Jan 17, Tina Vann (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi fellow gardeners. I'm not having much luck with any normal seeds. I think I am going to source Heritage seeds. Perhaps I'll have better luck. Happy New Year & Happy Gardening. Tina
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25 Sep 16, Kay (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I'm in northern Tasmania and planted my Brussel sprouts in May as well. The whole lot went to seed after producing a few very loose sprouts. I though a pout using the leaves in soups etc as I hate waste, but I read that they are quite bitter so I guess the lot go into compost. Any comments welcome
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17 Oct 18, Jul (Australia - temperate climate)
If you still have some going to seed, let them, and then collect the ripe seed for sowing later.
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26 Sep 16, Candice (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I had the same experience, Kay, but I did harvest the plant on the weekend and made a delicious soup with the leaves. I put the hard stems in the compost. The base stock for the recipe was one diced onion and six cloves of garlic chopped and softened in olive oil, 2 litres of chicken stock, 1 cup of white wine, 1 cup of water, salt and white pepper. Add the leaves and 250g of mushrooms and simmer away for an hour or so then blitz with a hand blender. I also added half a cup of cream at the end. It was really delicious and the left overs went into the freezer!
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11 Jun 16, MJ (Australia - temperate climate)
Something has eaten all the leaves on our Brussel sprout plants. Will they still grow?
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19 Mar 16, Lewy (Australia - temperate climate)
When is the best time to grow Brussel sprouts in newcastle new 2300
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12 Apr 17, MakingTheBestOfMayfield (Australia - temperate climate)
Yeah I would like to know if we can grow a decent sprout in the Newcastle area too.
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