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Brussels sprouts may take time to grow, but there’s nothing quite like snapping fresh sprouts off the stalk in your own backyard garden.
Types of Brussels Sprouts
There are more than 110 different varieties of sprouts, including some that are purple (a hybrid of purple cabbage and regular sprouts)! There are two main cultivated types: one that is tall, standing 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 meters), and the other short, growing to a maximum of 2 feet (0.6 meters). Popular varieties include Jade Cross (a hybrid variety with improved disease resistance that reaches a max height of 28 inches making it a great option for small gardens), Red Rubine (an heirloom purple-red variety higher in antioxidants than its green counterparts), and Long Island Improved (known for high yields, compact plant size and dark green buds).
Getting Started
Brussels sprouts are slow growing, which means they require a long growing season (80 – 130 days)—optimally in cool weather between 59°F and 64°F (15°C and 18°C). That’s why they’re usually grown as a fall or winter season vegetable. Exposure to a light frost or two will even help to improve their flavor—making them taste sweeter. Working backwards, if you do the math, that means sowing seeds about 4 months before your first fall frost date. You can start seeds indoors before transplanting young plants to your home garden or you can sow seeds directly into your garden in early spring or mid to late summer depending on your climate. (Keep in mind, if you are starting your plants outdoors they will likely take ~20 days longer to mature.)
Where Best to Plant
Brussels sprout plants thrive in full sun, and in well-draining, fertile soil that is rich in organic matter since they are heavy feeders (pH of 6 to 6.8). If you’re unsure about your garden soil, perform a soil test to check the pH. The plants usually reach heights of 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) and may require staking. Seeds should be planted half an inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) deep and 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) apart; you’ll have to thin seedlings to 12 to 24 inches (30 to 61 cm) apart when they reach 6 inches (15 cm) tall. Fertilize every 3 to 4 weeks. Brussels sprout plants thrive in moist but well-drained soil so it’s important to water consistently, especially during dry spells, to prevent the sprouts from becoming bitter or loose. They need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water (2.5 to 4 cm) per week. Make sure to keep plants well watered when hot (mulching can help). Keep in mind that the plants have shallow roots so be careful when weeding.
Pests & Diseases
Brussels sprouts, like other brassicas or cole crops such as broccoli, collards, and kale, are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases that can impact growth and yield. Common pests include aphids, flea beetles, cabbage root maggots, caterpillars (cabbage loopers and cabbage worms), diamondback moths, and harlequin bugs. Slugs and snails are also a threat.
Plants in the cabbage family are susceptible to a wide range of soil-borne diseases, so it’s a good idea to practice crop rotation if growing this veggie year after year. Brussels sprouts are vulnerable to clubroot, black rot, downy mildew, powdery mildew, alternaria leaf spot, and fusarium wilt. Maintaining proper spacing for airflow and regularly inspecting plants for signs of infestation can also help keep Brussels sprouts healthy.
Harvest Time
Brussels sprouts form as buds in helical patterns along the main stem of the plant. When you harvest Brussels sprouts start with lower sprouts (sprout development occurs from the bottom of the plant to the top of the plant). Harvest when sprouts are approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter by twisting, snapping or cutting off the sprouts. As you pick them, new ones will continue to grow on the plant. After the first harvest you can even remove the lower leaves to encourage the plant to produce additional sprouts. Each stalk can produce 2 to 3 pounds (0.9 to 1.4 kg) of sprouts. At the end of the season, you can remove the leaves, pull up the entire stalk, and hang it upside-down in a cool, dry place for long-term storage (1 month).
Adding Brussels sprouts to your vegetable garden not only provides you with a fresh and tasty source of this veggie but it will also add some “wow” factor to your garden (with plants growing as high as 3 feet or ~1 meter tall). And if you have kids, picking the sprouts off the stalk will delight them, even if they don’t feel the same way about eating them!
Grow Your Own Garden
If you’re looking for help on how to grow other foods check out these posts!
