Brussel Sprouts Seeds

West Coast Seeds, Brussel Sprouts Seeds - Additional Information

How to Grow Brussel Sprouts

Planting:
Aim to enjoy Brussels sprouts after a light frost for optimal sweetness. Directly sow seeds when daytime temperatures consistently exceed 10°C (50°F) or start in pots to ensure they're established in the garden 45-60 days before the first significant frost. Seeds typically sprout within 7-10 days in soil temperatures of 10-30°C (50-85°F).


Seed Starting:
Plant 3-4 seeds in each pot, burying them 1cm (1/2") deep under bright light. Thin to the strongest seedling. Once they've developed 6-8 true leaves, space the transplants 45-60cm (18-24") apart in rows spaced 75-90cm (30-36") apart.


Growing Conditions:
The ideal soil pH is 6.0-7.5. Plant in rich, humus-laden soil, incorporating ¼ cup of complete organic fertilizer beneath each transplant. Avoid fertilizing after midsummer, as high nitrogen can affect sprout quality. Cooler growing temperatures are crucial for dense, high-quality sprouts.


Harvesting
Brussels sprouts sweeten with mild freezes. Harvest from the bottom up as sprouts become firm. For a unified harvest, remove the stem's growing point when lower sprouts are 1-2 cm (½-¾") in diameter; a full stem of sprouts will mature in about 2 weeks. In mild winter regions, a second harvest of sweet, edible flower stalks, perfect for steaming or dipping, may occur in early spring.

Brussel Sprouts Diseases & Pests

Slugs and Snails:
A barrier of broken eggshells around the plants can deter these pests, leveraging the sharp edges to protect your sprouts.


Cabbage Aphids:
Early in the day, use a strong jet of water to dislodge aphids from your plants, effectively removing these pests without chemicals.


Cabbage Root Maggots:
These white larvae target the roots, leading to wilting and potentially plant death. Monitoring and proactive treatment are crucial to prevention.


Flea Beetles:
Employ row covers from planting until midsummer to shield your plants from early damage. Maintaining a weed-free environment also helps control their population by eliminating their habitat.


Cutworms:
Keeping the area weed-free and using cardboard collars around the base of each plant can offer adequate protection against these nocturnal pests.


Cabbageworms:
We recommend manual removal and destruction of these pests. Row covers can also provide an effective barrier against early damage for smaller gardens.


Clubroot:
Add lime to the soil pH of 7.2 to combat this soil-borne disease. Rotate your crops annually to avoid repeated infestations in the same area. If rotation is not feasible, replace the infected soil with fresh, clean soil. Starting seeds in a sterile potting mix can prevent the disease from taking hold. Infected plants and the surrounding soil should be removed and destroyed to avoid spreading the disease.