Growing Brussels sprouts

Brassica sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S S S              
        T T            

(Best months for growing Brussels sprouts in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 7°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 45 - 60 cm apart
  • Harvest in 14-28 weeks. Pick sprouts when small. .
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile)
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chili, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard
  • Mature brussels sprouts
  • Young plant (CC BY-SA 3.0 WikiMedia)

Grown for its small (typically 2.5 cm diameter) leafy green buds, which resemble miniature cabbages.

Suited to growing in cooler climates.

Brussel Sprouts will not grow good "sprouts" in warm areas - they open and are floppy.

In warm areas they are likely to become infested with aphids. Pick formed sprouts from the bottom of the stems leaving the plant growing. For winter use in very cold areas, dig up plants that have heads developed and set close together in a cold frame or cellar. Pack soil firmly round the roots. Keep cool but not freezing and they will continue to mature. (Planning an Idaho Vegetable Garden: Educational Communication online Publishing Catalog Gardening www. cals.uidaho.edu/ edComm/catalog.asp.)

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Brussels sprouts

Remove any discoloured outer leaves.
Cut in half and steam with other vegetables.
Do not overcook as that produces the distinctive smell that puts people off eating Brussels sprouts!
They go well with a chopped tomato and onion mix.
Traditionally served with roasted chestnuts for Xmas dinner in UK.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
17 Mar 23, Adrian (New Zealand - temperate climate)
What is the best defence against White Butterfly ?
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22 Mar 23, Untea kiwi (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Derris dust
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21 Mar 23, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Insect netting.
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05 Oct 21, APB (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Would`nt even bother to grow these Again .. grew in trays .. Put some in pots ( Big fail, due to the very large root system) some in the garden very healthy.. takes up a lot of room, takes way to long to grow in a small garden.. all it did was keep the slugs happy , shaded out, every other growing vegetables.. Lost my patience.. and ripped them all out..6 months from seed to harvest is too long. cheaper just to buy in the store in season
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11 Oct 21, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
A couple of points. Plant tall plants in the southern end of your garden (then they don't shade other plants). The sun crosses approx over head E to W in the summer and in the north in winter NE to NW.
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05 Oct 21, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Gardenate does not recommend growing Brussels sprouts in Sub Tropical NZ www.gardenate.com/plant/Brussels sprouts?zone=7
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25 Sep 20, Claire Hewson (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Should I pull my Brussel sprouts out as no sign of producing just all leaves if you could let me know please kind regards Claire Hewson
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27 Sep 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - temperate climate)
No use growing them if not producing.
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23 Jan 20, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
My Brussels sprouts plants have a purple tinge on the stems. Are they deficient in some trace element? They also seem to be shedding the bottom leaves which have turned yellow .
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27 Jan 20, anon (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Sprouts are more a winter thing than Summer I thought. I don't know about cool climate requirements.
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Showing 1 - 10 of 20 comments
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Mid December, manawatu, plant seedlings. But ONLY the variety that produces sprouts, plant xtra plants through to early feb. I’ve grown BS for 15 yrs, generally now very successful. Eating from May to end September 20 plants, so lot sprouts, Variety biggest issue to success. I was in Adelaide, Aus, saw 5 acre paddock big plants, what variety I asked? It was a syngenta seed. Nursery on st George’s rd, Hastings had some, these grew very well as any sprout that could form tight sprouts in Adelaide, in the heat, would do better in manawatu.

- Rob c

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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