How To Plant And Grow Brussels Sprouts

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Whenever someone asks me my favorite veggie to grow in the garden, the answer is always the same—my beloved Brussels sprouts! Brussels sprouts grown in the garden are packed with tons of flavor (they taste like a whole different veggie from the grocery store version), they are hardy enough to handle freezes and frosts, and they are a breeze to grow!

If you’ve been intimidated by growing Brussels sprouts in the past, let us show you just how simple it is to add this tasty vegetable to your garden! Let’s get growing.

Are Brussels sprouts easy to grow?

Because of their large size, a lot of folks think sprouts are intimidating to grow, but they actually require almost no care once they’ve been planted in the ground. These easy-to-grow plants need quite a long period of cool weather to produce. So just as long as you have the space and the right period of cool weather, they’re a breeze!

Where do I plant my Brussels sprouts?

Brussels sprout plants are very large—spanning about 18-36″ tall with a spread width of at least 18″. Their large size makes these plants perfect candidates for in-ground or raised bed planting.

Should I grow Brussels sprouts from seeds or plants?

We’re a big advocate of growing from seed here at Growfully because you have such a wider variety of Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea) seeds to choose from (purple Rubine sprouts, yes, please!). But seedlings also work if you can track them down. Brussels sprouts are typically best as a fall crop, and tracking down the seedlings at your local garden center in the middle of summer or early fall can be tricky.

When should I plant Brussels sprouts?

In most regions, Brussels sprouts are a summer-planted crop for fall harvest—that’s just the best way to give Brussels sprouts the long, cool season they require. If you live in a mild climate that doesn’t have hot summers, you can also plant a spring crop of Brussels sprouts. Just keep in mind, you need to keep your Brussels sprouts plants growing in mild or cool temperatures for 100-200 days (depending on the variety).

To figure out your own planting date, take the date of your average first frost in fall, and subtract 10 weeks—that’s around the time you want to plant the seedlings in the garden. From that date, subtract 6-8 weeks (depending on the variety)—that’s the date to start your seedlings.

Growfully Protip

Here in zone 6b, we typically start our Brussels sprout seeds indoors early-to-mid June and then plant them out on a cool day in the garden in August. It’s still hot in August, but the temps will quickly start to decline a few weeks later.

How long does it take to grow Brussels sprouts?

All Brussels sprouts varieties are slow-growing plants. Even the quickest of Brussels sprouts will take at least 100 days to get to maturity, with some going as long as 200 days. Don’t fret, though! You can use this wide disparity between maturity dates to your advantage. Plant at least three different varieties with different maturity dates, and harvest Brussels sprouts all fall and winter long!

How do I grow Brussels sprouts from seed?

Brussels sprouts are a brassica, and you follow the same process for seed starting as with other brassicas like cabbage, broccoli, kale, or cauliflower. In cool, mild climates, you can start seeds directly in the garden. For those of us with hot summers, you’ll need to start seeds inside to protect them from the hottest part of the year. To start seeds:

1. Fill a pot or cell with a sterile seed starting medium (our favorite mixture is 4 parts coco coir, 2 parts vermiculite, 1 part perlite).
2. Sow seeds (2-3) in each spot, about 1/2″ deep in the pot.
3. Gently water the seedlings using a mist or sprayer. Keep the soil of the newly planted seeds evenly moist while awaiting germination. The best way to do this is with a spray bottle.
4. Place the seeds in an area where the temperature stays between 70-75°F for quickest germination. You should see some seeds popping up within 5-7 days.
5. Once seeds have shown their true leaves, clip out any extra seedings in each cell with a small pair of scissors or snips.
6. After the plants have 2-4 sets of true leaves, you can pot up the seedlings into larger pots filled with fertile soil (organic potting soil is great for this), so they can really take off!

Growfully Protip

Make sure to keep a fan running on low on your seedlings after they have sprouted. This prevents fungal issues and makes for strong stems.

How do I transplant Brussels sprouts seedlings?

Transplant time is about 10 weeks before your first fall frost in the garden. In many areas, that’s still a very hot time of year, so try to time your Brussels sprout planting for a cooler, cloudier day to prevent transplant shock. Here’s how to get your Brussels sprouts in the garden:

1. Water the garden bed and the seedlings well about an hour before you are planning on transplanting. This helps keep everything cool and makes the seedlings easier to work with.
2. Dig a hole about 1 1/2 times the size of the Brussels sprout seedling pot. Feel free to amend the hole with compost or a balanced fertilizer.
3. Place the seedling in the hole, then backfill with the soil. Use your hands to firm the ground around the seedling to set it in place.
4. Give your seedlings a full 18-24″ spacing on all sides when planting your next plant.
5. Mulch your seedlings well—this helps with soil moisture retention and soil cooling during the heat of summer.
6. When planting in the heat of summer, Brussels sprouts will enjoy some partial shade during the hottest part of the afternoon sun. They still require 4-6 hours of sunlight per day, but some shade cloth or natural shade during the afternoon during the first few weeks in a garden is appreciated.

Growfully Protip

Cabbage moths and cabbage loopers can quickly (and heartbreakingly) fly in and infiltrate your Brussles sprout patch after planting seedlings. They lay eggs, and their larvae (AKA: cabbage worms) can decimate a Brussels sprout plant in a matter of hours. Prevent this by immediately putting up floating row covers with insect netting after planting seedlings. You can also heavily companion plant with strong-smelling herbs and flowers like dill and marigold to help repel common pests.

How do I care for the plants?

Once your Brussels sprouts are in the ground, you’re mostly just playing the waiting game! The plants will grow very slowly during the hot days in late summer, but then once days start consistently hitting in the 70s or below, your Brussels sprouts will take off! Here are a few things you need to keep in mind while they grow: