Named after the city of Brussels, Brussels sprouts were first made popular in Belgium, where they’ve been grown since about 1200. The sprouts are buds that grow in the axils of each leaf.
They look like tiny cabbages and are considered a type of wild cabbage. The plant itself looks like a small palm tree and the sprouts grow along the trunk like stem. The green brussels sprout variety is the most commonly grown.
Brussels sprouts require a fairly long growing season. Burpee list varieties that require from as little as 78 days to some varieties needing 110 day to mature. select your sprout variety mostly based on the length of your frost free growing season.
Note Brussels sprouts will tolerate frost and light freezing weather well.
Brussels sprouts like a sweet(neutral) or slightly alkaline soil. Soil pH should be about 6.5. Sprouts like cool damp(not wet) soil. A good amount of organic matter and mulching around plants will help maintain soil moisture they need for their intense growth.
In colder climates, start seeds indoors and set outside when there’s no threat of a hard frost. Be sure to allow the full number of growing days for your sprouts to reach full maturity.
Hint Direct seed in your garden when your soil has warmen to tempetures above 40%F.
In warmer climates, Late summer or early fall planting is preferred. You should be able to direct seed in mid summer for a late fall/winter harvest. You may also be able to squeeze in a second, early spring crop, direct seeding in February and harvesting in May.
Direct seed in warm areas. Otherwise start seed indoors approximately 5-7 weeks before last expected frost. Cover seeds with 1/4 – 1/2 inch of soil and keep moist. Transplant when the seedlings are about 3″ tall. Don’t allow seedlings to become root bound or the plant will remain stunted after being transplanted. Space plants about 2 ft. apart and about 3 ft. between rows or stagger plants 2 ft. apart in each direction, for a grid.
University of Illinois-Growing Brussels Sprouts
Texas A&M University-Growing Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli,Cabbage and Cauliflower
Fertilize twice a season once when the plants are about 12″ high and again about a month before harvest is recommended, but if you have a fertile soil to begin with, it may not be necessary to fertilize in mid and late season.
Brussels Sprouts are prone to the same problems as cabbage and broccoli. The most common pests are Cabbage looper, cabbage worm, cabbage root maggot, aphids, and Harlequin bugs. Each sprout rows in the leaf axil or joint. They begin maturing from the bottom of the plant upwards.
Cabbage worms and Loopers
You can start harvesting when the lower sprouts reach the size of large marbles. Just be sure to pick before they get too large and start cracking and turning bitter. Some people prefer to cut, rather than pull the sprouts. Pulling is easy if you remove the leave below the sprout first, then twist and pull the sprout.
A few Varieties available are:
* ‘Bubbles’ F1 (85-90 days) Early and easy. Tolerates heat and drought. 2″ sprouts. Resistant to Powdery Mildew & Rust.
* ‘Jade Cross’ F1 and ‘Jade Cross E’ F1(90 days) Jade Cross was a 1959 All-America Selections Winner. Both are compact plants good for windy locations. Sprout are slightly larger on Jade Cross E. Good disease resistance.
* ‘Long Island Improved’ OP (90 days) High yield. Another small plant that stands up to wind. Freezes well.
* ‘Oliver’ F1 (85 days) Early producer. Easy to pick, 1″ sprouts. Compact, disease resistant plants.
* ‘Royal Marvel’ F1 (85 days) Early and productive. Resistant to bottom rot and tip burn.
* ‘Rubine’ (85 – 95 days) Red Plants. Late maturing and lower yield than green varieties, but good flavor. 1 ½” sprouts. Heirloom
* ‘Early Marvel Hybrid’ (85 days)
* ‘Octia’ (78 days)
Tell the kids they are baby cabbage, they will love them.
Do Not over cook your sprouts! Steam, boil or broiling takes only about 5 or 6 minutes. If steaming or boiling sprouts, place them under cold running water or in ice water to stop cooking and to preserve their wonderful bright color and prevent nutrient loss.
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Oh that’s what the plant is supposed to look like, not puny and shriveled like mine!
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I love Brussels sprouts! I might have to try growing them this year. This is my favorite way to make them: https://theoptimistichousehusband.wordpress.com/2014/12/31/eating-healthy-in-the-new-year-brussels-sprouts/
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Grin… I bookmarked that recipe not long ago and plan to give it a try very soon.
Happy Gardening
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Trader Joe’s sells them on the stalk. They are so much fun! Posting a sprout dinner recipe soon!
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Love Brussels sprouts! I had no idea that was how they grew. I’ve never saw them while they’re still on the stem.
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I’m glad I could let you see them before harvesting.
It is common that many local growers, near the end of the harvest time, will cut the stalk at ground level to display and sell the remaining sprouts.
Happy gardening
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Ugh. Truly my least favorite of the entire plant kingdom. 🙂
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Grin … well… you can’t make ‘everyone’ happy.
Happy gardening
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Absolutely love Brussels sprouts. Roasted is my favourite style to eat them. I have never tried to grow them. I’m very much a beginner gardener but they are something I would look at growing. I might have space for them at the end of summer. I will try 2 – 3 plants.
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Thanks for taking time to visit my humble blog and for your comment(s)
I hope you do find a place and time to plant Brussels sprouts. Plant keep your soil moist(not wet) and enjoy your rewards for your gardening efforts.
Happy Gardening
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Always enjoy your blog! We have a hot summer here in New Zealand at the moment so watering is a challenge.
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Thanks for taking time to visit my little blog and for your kind comment(s).
I would think in your cooler fall and early winter sprouts will do very well.
Happy gardening
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Love them!!!
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I might try to grow these this season. I don’t particularly like them, but the plants must be amazing to watch. Thanks for the info!
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