Out of season right now. The next sowing window opens in April.
Growing Calendar
This month: Jul
Plan ahead for this crop
- •Check growing conditions
- •Prepare for next stage
Watch Out For
Cabbage white caterpillars strip leaves. Check undersides weekly from late spring and remove egg clusters and caterpillars by hand or net plants early
Pigeons strip whole plants bare in winter when little else is available, so netting is essential and should be in place before the first cold snap
Loose, 'blown' sprouts are usually caused by soft, recently-manured soil. Firm the ground well before planting and avoid feeding with high-nitrogen fertiliser
Grown Organically
Every method in this guide works with natural systems — no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts.
Read our approachCommon Questions
About growing Brussels Sprouts in the UK
Why are my Brussels sprouts loose and leafy instead of tight?
This is called 'blown' sprouts, usually caused by soft, recently-manured soil or overcrowded plants. Firm the ground well before planting, space plants a full 60–75cm apart, and avoid high-nitrogen feeds.
When should I harvest Brussels sprouts?
From October through to March, picking from the bottom of the stem upwards as the lowest sprouts mature first. Flavour actually improves after a frost, which converts some starch to sugar.
Do Brussels sprouts need staking?
Tall plants in exposed, windy positions benefit from a stout cane tied in loosely from autumn. Firm soil at planting time is the most important measure, since loose soil causes rocking and poor sprout development.
Why do pigeons target my Brussels sprouts?
Sprouts are one of the few green things left in the garden through winter, making them a magnet for hungry pigeons. Net plants securely before the first cold snap, since birds can strip a bed bare in a single visit.
Member guides
There's more to growing Brussels Sprouts than this guide covers.
A Garden Journal to log what worked, a personalised sowing planner in My Garden, and monthly reminders timed to the calendar.
