Brussel Sprouts
Brassica oleracea (Gemmifera Group) 'Brussels Sprouts'
Also known as
Sprouts
Brussel Sprouts (6498386487) by Peretz Partensky (CC BY 2.0)
Full Sun
Moderate care
Moderate watering
Half-hardy
H7-H3
RHS hardiness
-20°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
---|---|---|
1m | Max | 60cm |
50cm | Min | 30cm |
2 years to reach maturity
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has a strong fragrance
More images of Brussel Sprouts
Brussel Sprouts Overview
Brassica oleracea (Gemmifera group) is the variety of plant that produces the widely cultivated Brussels Sprout. This plant is a medium-sized herbaceous biennial that produces small round buds along its erect stem that are used as a staple vegetable in roast dinners. With a long harvesting season they are an important winter crop in a rotation. Varieties that have earned a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit are: Abacus, Attwood, Brodie, Bronte, Cascade, Clodius. Crispus, Diablo, Dominator, Doric, Green Marble, Igor, Marte, Maximus, Montgomery, Petrus, Revenge, Silverline.
Common problems with Brussel Sprouts
Brussel Sprouts Companion Plants
How to harvest Brussel Sprouts
Depending on the cultivar, Brussel sprouts are ready to harvest from September to February. The sprouts can be picked by hand from the stem.
How to propagate Brussel Sprouts
Seed
Sow seeds thinly into seed trays mid-late summer. Transplant the seedlings into the bed with a 45 cm spacing.
Special features of Brussel Sprouts
Crop rotation
Grow Brassicas (Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kale, Kohl-rabi, Oriental Greens, radish, Swede and Turnips) in areas that previously held Legumes and follow with Potatoes. Rotating crops annually helps avoid the build-up of soil pests and diseases.
Other uses of Brussel Sprouts
Culinary
Edible
The round buds that grow up the stem are edible and often used as a vegetable.
Edible to Sow Under Cover in May
Successional sow small batches on a sunny windowsill or in a heated propagator, ready to plant out later in the month.