Brussels sprouts are a cool-season crop; they thrive in temperatures between 60°F and 70°F (16-21°C). Mature plants can withstand temperatures as low as 25°F (-4°C). Brussels sprouts require a long growing season—90 to 120 days. Commonly Brussels sprouts are planted in late spring to mid-summer for harvest in fall. Brussels sprouts touched by frost just…
Brussels Sprouts
Whole Brussels Sprouts Steamed, Stir Fried, Roasted
Cook Brussels sprouts until the insides are just tender, not soft, and the flavor will be sweet, mild, and delicious. Choose Brussels sprouts that are dark green, tightly formed, and of uniform size–smaller, not bigger is best. Cook the same day they come off the stem or use the sniff test to tell you they…
How to Harvest and Store Brussels Sprouts
How to Harvest Brussels Sprouts Harvest Brussels sprouts when they are ½ to 1¾ inches (1-4 cm) in diameter, green, and firm. Brussels sprouts are ready for harvest 90 to 110 days after sowing. Start picking after the first frost and continue into early winter in cold-winter regions. Sprouts become sweeter and more flavorful after…
Brussels Sprouts Growing Quick Tips
Quick tips to get Brussels sprouts growing in your garden. Sowing: Sow Brussels sprouts seeds from spring to early summer in cold-winter regions; in warm-winter regions, sow from fall to spring. Start seed indoors 8 weeks before transplanting seedlings to the garden. Sow seeds in a warm, well-lighted location—in a bright window or under grow…
Brussels Sprouts Growing Problems: Troubleshooting
Brussels sprouts are a fall vegetable; there is not enough cool spring weather in most regions to bring sprouts to harvest before summer. Brussels sprouts require about 3 months to reach harvest size. Sprouts–buds or heads that resemble miniature cabbage–form in the axils of leaves. Sprouts appear first at the bottom of the stalk and…
How to Grow Brussels Sprouts
Plant Brussels sprouts so that they come to harvest in cool weather. Start seeds indoors 16 to 20 weeks before the last frost in spring. Set transplants in the garden 12 to 14 weeks before the last frost in spring. In mild-winter regions plant Brussels sprouts in autumn for a winter or spring harvest. Brussels…
Planting Brussels Sprouts
Plant Brussels sprouts so that they come to harvest in cool weather. Planting Calendar. Brussels sprouts are best grown in cool weather, usually in early spring or autumn. Sprouts require from 80 to 110 days with daylight temperatures below 80ºF (27ºC) and nighttime temperatures even lower. Brussels sprouts are frost hardy and will tolerate temperatures…
Steamed Brussels Sprouts
You don’t have to get fancy to enjoy Brussels sprouts. Simply steam or sauté the sprouts and serve them with butter or lemon or sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, like you see here. To steam Brussels sprouts, arrange the sprouts or pieces on a steamer rack. Bring 1 to 2 inches of water to a rapid…
Spring Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a biennial grown as a cool-season annual. They survive winter snows to push their final harvest of miniature cabbage-like sprouts in spring. Brussels sprouts have a nutty, cabbage-like flavor that makes a delicious hot side dish dressed with butter or meat-roasting juices. Lightly steamed Brussels sprouts are perfect with a lemon-butter sauce,…
Brussels Sprouts: Kitchen Basics
Brussels sprouts have a nutty, cabbage-like flavor that makes a delicious hot side dish dressed with butter or meat-roasting juices. Lightly steamed Brussels sprouts are perfect with a lemon-butter sauce, or you can simmer them with chopped celery until tender and then fold them into a cheese sauce. If all of this sounds too rich,…