PlantSowGrow
How to grow Brussels Sprouts (Brodie)
Brassica oleracea Gemmifera Group
Sweet, mild sprouts for Christmas dinner and winter meals. Tall, hardy plants that crop for months.
At a glance: Sow mid March to late April, harvest from mid October.
When to sow, plant and harvest
Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.
Growing Brussels Sprouts (Brodie): what it needs
- Light
- Full sun · 6+ hours a day
- Watering
- Water regularly in dry weather
- Soil
- Fertile, well-drained soil
- Spacing
- 60 cm
- In pots
- Best in the ground
- Feeding
- A general feed before sowing or planting
- Harvest
- About 70 days from sowing
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 3–9
- Difficulty
- Easy
Step by step
- Mid March – late April · 4 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow Seeds Indoors
Sow in modules or small pots of seed compost under cover.
- 7–14 days after “Sow Seeds Indoors” · Late March
Check Germination
Seedlings should appear in 7–14 days. If sown outdoors, thin to 60 cm apart when big enough to handle.
- 14–21 days after “Check Germination” · Early April – mid April
Pot On Seedlings
Move seedlings into 9 cm pots (or keep in modules) when they have their first true leaves.
- Late May · 6 weeks after the last spring frost
Harden Off
Stand plants outside by day for 7–10 days before planting out.
- Early June – early July · 7 weeks after the last spring frost
Plant Out
Plant out 60 cm apart and water in well.
- 0–3 days after “Plant Out” · Early June
Net Against Pests
Cover with fine insect mesh or netting straight after planting to keep off pigeons, cabbage white caterpillars and flea beetles.
- 60–90 days after “Net Against Pests” · Early August – early September
Stake and Firm
Stake tall plants and firm the soil around them so sprouts stay tight.
- Mid October – mid February · around the first autumn frost
Start Harvesting
Pick sprouts from the bottom up once they are firm; the top can be eaten like cabbage.
- 90–120 days after “Start Harvesting” · Mid January – mid February
Finish and Clear
Clear the remains to the compost heap once cropping ends.
