How to Grow Brussels Sprout
Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 6°C — typically early to mid spring. Can also be started indoors 6 weeks earlier for a head start.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Nitrogen-rich feed at planting. Firm soil well — loose soil produces loose sprouts.
- Need a long growing season — sow in spring for winter harvest. Firm planting is essential for tight sprouts.
Companion Planting
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Growing Conditions
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- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
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- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 60 cm |
| Row spacing | 60 cm |
| Sow depth | 1 cm |
| Mature height | 90 cm |
| Mature spread | 40 cm |
These are tall plants and need space for air circulation around the developing sprouts on the stem.
Care Guide
- Feeding
- Nitrogen-rich feed at planting. Firm soil well — loose soil produces loose sprouts.
- Watch for
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- Cabbage white caterpillars
- Aphids (in sprout buttons)
- Club root
- Whitefly
Pests & Diseases
Pest Cabbage White Caterpillars
Identification: Green caterpillars (small white) or yellow-and-black striped caterpillars (large white) feeding on leaves, large ragged holes, frass visible
- Fine mesh netting over plants from planting to harvest
- Hand-pick caterpillars and squash yellow egg clusters on leaf undersides
- Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray
- Pyrethrin-based insecticides
Pest Mealy Cabbage Aphid
Identification: Grey-green waxy aphids clustered in sprout buttons and on leaf undersides, leaves curl and yellow
- Encourage natural predators such as ladybirds and parasitic wasps
- Insecticidal soap spray before buttons tighten
- Remove heavily infested lower leaves
- Fatty acid sprays applied before sprouts close up
Pest Cabbage Root Fly
Identification: Plants wilt in warm weather despite moist soil, white maggots found around roots when pulled up
- Brassica collars fitted snugly around stems at planting
- Fine mesh covering from transplanting
- Limited options for home gardeners
Disease Club Root Plasmodiophora brassicae
Symptoms: Stunted growth, wilting on warm days, swollen and distorted roots when pulled up
Treatment: No cure — remove and destroy affected plants, do not compost
Prevention: Lime soil to pH 7+, improve drainage, strict 4-year brassica rotation, raise transplants in clean compost
Disease White Blister Albugo candida
Symptoms: White raised blisters on leaf undersides, distorted growth, yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected leaves, improve air circulation
Prevention: Rotate brassicas, avoid overcrowding, remove crop debris
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 6°C |
| Germination temperature | 15–25°C |
| Base growth temperature | 5°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 8.5h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Brussels Sprout?
- Plant Brussels Sprout 60cm apart with 60cm between rows.
- When can I harvest Brussels Sprout?
- Brussels Sprout is ready to harvest approximately 160 days after transplanting.
- Is Brussels Sprout frost hardy?
- Brussels Sprout is classified as Hardy.
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