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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04 Jan 16, Patrick (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
The cabbage like top of the Brussel Sprout is the best part. If you get a good frost on them the sprouts will be nice and tight so don't shelter or protect them from the frost.
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09 Dec 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I am from melbourne. I put the seeds in the mid of March and they are 1 meter tall now but no sprouts yet. Tiny balls appear between the nodes and with few days they flower up. Its been 8 months now. Please suggest what to be done
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05 Nov 15, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
planting time for Brussels sprouts depends on the variety and can be as early as Oct-Nov and as late as Feb. Good seed providers should state what month they should be planted. Look up an old book - Vegetable gardening in Australia by Norman de vaus. He has good advice and a good understanding of how to grow brussels sprouts. Finally some of the seed you are buying may not be well selected and may never give good spouts no matter what you do. Hybrid seed is one option if you are sick of failing at Brussels sprouts.
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25 Oct 15, Kate (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Our Brussel sprouts don't seem to be growing. We have healthy looking plants (leafy cabbage like with a centre the size of a tennis ball) We have taken away 5 layers of leaves from underneath, but still nothing. They have been growing approx 4 months from seedling. Hope you can give us a tip to get the sprouts started... With thanks.....
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08 Oct 15, john (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i planted my brussel sprouts early they have grown really good to about 4 foot high and plenty of leaves but the sprouts are only small,now it is october and the weather is getting hotter do i persist with them hoping the sprouts will get bigger or just pull them out.
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23 Sep 15, Jacqueline (Australia - temperate climate)
I have grown Brussel sprouts and they are just forming and some a little bigger than my thumb nail but plant is now going to seed should I pick off the seeds so sprouts can get bigger as most are just tiny Thanking you
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03 Apr 15, Greg West (Australia - temperate climate)
When to plant in Tasmania
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30 Dec 14, russ (Australia - temperate climate)
can I grow Brussels sprouts in pots if how big should they be and what sort of soil is best for them ....thank you for your time russ
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05 Nov 14, Melisa Mitchell (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi could anyone tell me when is the best time to plant Brussels in Central Queensland,Thanx in advance.
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13 Jun 14, Jo (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
What vege/s can growin a spot which produced mountains of tomatoes,eggplant and herbs during summer. The soil is great but it is at the western end of the garage and only gets sun from about 12.30pm till 3pm? Suggestions please. Area is 6m x 1m and raised,
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Showing 41 - 50 of 110 comments
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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.

- Lisa McCartney

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