10 Tips for Growing Brussels Sprouts

Posted By: Amy 1 Comment

Posted: Aug 14, 2014 Updated: Jan 6, 2023

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Brussels Sprouts are perfect to grow in fall temperatures. They like the cool temperatures and you will want to time your plantings so that overnight fall frosts will bring out the sprouts’ sweetness.

10 Tips for Growing Brussels Sprouts:

#1 Brussels Sprouts are a cool weather crop that grow best at around 60°-65° F, fall is the perfect time to grow them

#2 Brussels sprouts need a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight daily; more is better.

#3 Space plants about 2’ apart.

#4 Mulch to retain soil moisture, and hand pull any weeds to avoid damaging the shallow roots of the sprout plants.

#5 Once plants begin to set sprouts, they can become a bit top-heavy so add stakes for support or mound dirt around stem for support.

#6 Brussels sprouts prefer well-drained soil and do not require excessive nutrients a liquid fertilizer once a month is plenty.

#7 Too much nitrogen will make for lots of leaves but not so much on the sprouts.

#8 If any of the lower leaves of the plant show any yellowing, at once strip them off.

#9 Pinching off the plant tops forces sprouts to mature faster.

#10 Harvest sprouts in the home garden after the first or second frost, taking just those sprouts which are big enough, starting from the bottom up

Bonus Tips:

Small sprouts (about 1-inch diameter) are the most tender.

Remove sprouts by twisting them from the stem..

Just before a severe freeze, uproot the plants, remove any remaining leaves, and hang plants upside down in a cool place for a few more weeks of harvesting.