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How to grow Brussels sprouts in the UK

Tall plants with sprouts up the stem. Ready for Christmas.

• DifficultyMore care needed
• WhereBeds
• Grows to90cm
• Spacing60cm
• Time to first pickabout 28 weeks

When to sow, plant and harvest brussels sprouts

Dates are for central England. Sow about two weeks later in the north and Scotland, and up to two weeks earlier in the south and south west. Get the dates for your postcode.

Starting it indoors

1. Fill a small pot or tray with seed compost
2. Push the seeds in (1cm deep) - a couple per pot
3. Water gently, then put them on a bright windowsill
4. Keep the compost damp but not soggy - check it every day
5. When they have 2 proper leaves, give each seedling its own pot

Planting it out

1. Toughen them up ('hardening off'): put them outside in the day for a week, bring them in at night
2. Dig a hole a bit bigger than the pot
3. Tip the plant out gently, holding the leaves, not the stem
4. Pop it in the hole, firm the soil around it, and water well
5. Space the plants about 60cm apart in the row, with rows 75cm apart

Top tips for growing brussels sprouts

• Firm the soil really well around them - they get top-heavy.

Looking after brussels sprouts

• Week 12: Push a strong stick in next to each plant so they don't fall over

Soil and feeding

Firm, rich soil that isn't acidic. Add manure or compost the season before, then firm the soil well - tread it down! Loose soil makes floppy plants.

Pests and problems

• Wood pigeons: strip the soft young leaves off peas, beans and cabbage-family plants
• Cabbage white caterpillars: hatch under the leaves and eat them to lace

• Use netting with small holes (butterfly netting) so butterflies can't lay eggs
• Bend canes or plastic pipe into hoops over the row
• Stretch netting over the hoops, pulled tight so birds can't get tangled
• Peg or weigh down the edges so nothing can sneak underneath
• Check it every day

Harvesting and eating brussels sprouts

Pick from the bottom of the stem up, when they're firm and the size of a walnut.

How to eat them: Halve and roast with a little oil until crispy - much nicer than boiled!

Storing brussels sprouts

Keeps about 1 week.

• Leave them on the stalk - cut the whole stalk and stand it somewhere cool

Freeze well: blanch them (dip in boiling water for 3 minutes, then straight into icy water - ask a grown-up to help), dry and bag.

Good varieties of brussels sprouts

• Brendan: Firm sprouts in time for Christmas.
• Red Bull: Red sprouts - they stay pink when cooked.

Companion planting

Grows well with

• Nasturtiums: caterpillars go for nasturtiums instead of your sprouts

Keep away from

• Strawberries: cabbage-family plants can stunt strawberries

Saving your own brussels sprouts seed

It only makes seed in its second summer.

1. This plant flowers in its second year, so leave one or two strong plants in the ground over winter
2. Next summer they grow tall and flower - bees love them
3. Cut the seed heads when they're brown and dry, and shake out the seeds
4. Cabbage-family plants cross with each other, so seed may not come true

Things to build for brussels sprouts

• Hoop tunnel cover:
• Cold frame:

Where to buy brussels sprouts seeds

Thompson & Morgan · Suttons · Amazon

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Brussels sprouts questions

When should I sow brussels sprouts in the UK?

In the UK, sow brussels sprouts indoors from early March to mid April. These dates suit central England; sow about two weeks later in the north and Scotland and up to two weeks earlier in the mild south and south west.

When do I plant out brussels sprouts?

Plant brussels sprouts out from mid May to mid June.

When can I pick brussels sprouts?

Brussels sprouts is ready from mid October to late February. Pick from the bottom of the stem up, when they're firm and the size of a walnut.

How long do brussels sprouts take to grow?

Roughly 28 weeks from sowing or planting until the first harvest.

Are brussels sprouts easy to grow?

Brussels sprouts are rated 'more care needed' for beginners, and can be grown in the ground or a raised bed.