Brussels sprouts occupy their bed for the best part of a year for a harvest that's actually better after the first frost has hit.
Brussels sprouts are a slow-growing, long-season brassica, sown in spring for a harvest that doesn’t start until autumn or winter. Firm planting and staking matter more here than for most brassicas — loose roots produce open, leafy ‘blown’ sprouts instead of tight ones.
Sowing & growing calendar
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | Sow in March | Sow in April | ||||||||||
| Plant | Plant in May | Plant in June | ||||||||||
| Harvest | Harvest in January | Harvest in February | Harvest in November | Harvest in December | ||||||||
| Job | Job in September | Job in October |
Care details
- Sow March – April
Sow indoors or in a seedbed.
- Plant May – June
Plant out firmly and stake tall varieties — loose roots give blown, leafy sprouts instead of tight ones.
- Job September – October
Firm the soil around stems after autumn winds rock them, and strip off yellowing lower leaves.
- Harvest November – February
Pick from the bottom up once sprouts are golf-ball sized — flavour improves after a frost.
Growing tips & common problems
- Firm the soil hard around the base at planting — loose roots produce open, 'blown' sprouts instead of tight ones.
- Strip off yellowing lower leaves as the season goes on, to improve airflow and reduce disease.
- Stake tall varieties before autumn winds arrive; a rocked plant produces poor, loose sprouts.
Grows well with
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