If you’re reading this article, I’m going to assume you’re a proud member of the group of people who love Brussels sprouts! I’ll be honest, I didn’t eat one until adulthood when I became a gardener. In that way I’m spoiled because I never had to suffer through frozen or grocery store sprouts.
Mine have always come fresh from the garden, and wow, what a difference (especially if they’re frost sweetened).
If you know a bit about me as a gardener, you may know that fall is my favorite season in the vegetable garden. And Brussels sprout are the quintessential fall vegetable. In fact, I only start harvesting mine when I feel mentally ready to fall to begin, which usually isn’t until October after the first frost.
Brussels sprouts, with their distinctive flavor and miniature cabbage-like appearance, are a popular vegetable in many gardens. However, successfully growing these delicious greens requires a bit of knowledge and patience.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into the Brussels sprouts growing stages, from planting to harvesting, and address common questions and challenges.
Brussels sprouts are a fun and tasty vegetable to grow in the garden, but many backyard farmers don’t know what to expect as the plants grow. With their edible sprouts hidden by leaves, brussels sprouts can seem mysterious compared to familiar veggies like tomatoes or zucchini.
In this article, we’ll explore pictures of brussels sprout plants at all stages of growth By seeing detailed photos of sprout plants throughout their life cycle, you’ll gain a better understanding of their distinctive growth habits Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be ready to try growing brussels sprouts yourself!
Brussels Sprout Seedlings
Brussels sprouts grow from small, round seeds that can be directly sown in the garden or started indoors. When starting brussels sprout plants from seed, the first stage is the young seedling.
Sprout seeds take 5-10 days to germinate after planting. Once they sprout, the first thing you’ll see is the emerging taproot. This anchoring root absorbs water and nutrients to establish the seedling.
Next, the seedling stem and first leaves (called cotyledons) emerge above the soil. The cotyledons are oval shaped and smooth, with a light green color. They absorb sunlight for the plant while the roots develop.
Brussels sprout seedlings with two oval cotyledon leaves. Image from FarmingThing
Indoors, brussels sprout seedlings need 2-3 weeks after germinating before being transplanted to the garden. In this time they’ll reach 2-4 inches tall and grow their first true leaves.
Leaf and Stem Growth Stage
Once planted in the garden, the next phase is vigorous leaf and stem growth. This vegetative stage focuses on above-ground expansion rather than fruit production.
The young sprout plant keeps growing upwards, adding leaves along its central stalk as it gains height. The leaves start out rounded and puckered, then become longer and smoother as the plant matures.
During this leafy period, sprout plants can become quite tall, often reaching 2-4 feet. As growth continues, the main stalk thickens and becomes woodier.
Staking or trellising may be needed to support the top-heavy plants and prevent falling. Proper spacing, usually 18-24 inches between plants, ensures good airflow as the foliage expands.
Early vegetative growth of a brussels sprout plant. Image from FarmingThing.
Sprout Formation
After an extended period of leaf and stem growth, brussels sprout plants finally start forming the tightly packed buds that become the edible sprouts.
These sprouts emerge from the stalk near the base of each leaf, wrapping snugly around the stem. They begin very small, often just 1/4 to 1/2 inch diameter.
Depending on variety, it takes 12-20 weeks before the lowest sprouts are ready to start harvesting. Sprouts further up the stalk take longer, since they form after the lower ones.
As the sprouts swell, the leaves on the stalk gradually yellow and drop off. The plant now focuses energy into the sprouts rather than leaves as it reaches maturity.
Tight, green brussels sprout buds forming along the stalk
Tight, green brussels sprout buds forming along the stalk. Image from Wikimedia Commons.
Ready to Harvest
After 14-20 weeks of growth, the lowest sprouts on the plant should be full sized and ready to pick. Harvest them individually by snapping or cutting each sprout off the stalk.
When ripe and ready to harvest, brussels sprouts are:
- About 1-1 1⁄2 inches diameter
- Bright green and tightly closed
- Firm when squeezed
A stalk of brussels sprouts ready for harvest
A stalk of brussels sprouts ready for harvest. Image from Almanac.com
Further up the stalk, smaller sprouts will keep maturing. These can be harvested over several weeks by working upwards on the plant.
With proper care, one brussels sprout plant can bear sprouts from late summer through winter, providing months of ongoing harvests. Now that you know what to look for, you’ll be able to identify the key growth stages and achieve brussels sprout gardening success!
The most frequently mentioned entities are sprouts, stalks, leaves, and the brussels sprouts themselves. This makes sense since the article focuses on the growth cycle of brussels sprout plants, so their core structures are discussed the most. Sprouts are key, the stalk holds them, and leaves come before sprouts form. Pictures of these parts illustrate the growth stages.
Fertilizer for Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are heavy feeders, so providing them with the right nutrients is essential for a bountiful harvest. I recommend adding a small scoop of an organic garden fertilizer to the planting hole. I like this one and this one.
If you’ve struggled with growing Brussels sprouts in the past, you can also side dress the plants with more fertilizer several times during the season. I simply pull back the mulch, spread a ring of fertilizer around the plant and scratch it into the soil. I replace the mulch and give the bed a deep watering.
How Much Sun Do Brussels Sprouts Need?
If you live in a northern climate, pretty much every vegetable your grow in your garden does best in full sun. Think about a vegetable farm if you’ve ever visited one. There are little to no trees or shady spots in the growing area.
Brussels sprouts thrive in full sun, which means they need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Choose a well-draining location in your garden with plenty of sunshine to ensure robust growth and the development of these sought-after sprouts.
If you live in a hotter climate with intense summer sun, planting in fall is your best bet.
How to Grow Brussels Sprouts for Beginners
FAQ
Are Brussels sprouts just mini cabbages?
Brussels sprouts are not baby cabbages, but they are closely related. Both belong to the Brassica family (which includes cabbage, broccoli, and kale). Brussels sprouts grow as small buds.
Do Brussels sprouts plants come back every year?
Overwintering. Because Brussels sprouts generally are grown as an annual, no overwintering will be necessary.Sep 5, 2024
What is the secret to growing brussel sprouts?
Choose a planting site that gets full sun (8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight per day). Raised beds are especially recommended for cool-season vegetables, especially in the spring and fall, when temperatures are not consistent. Brussels sprouts need a high level of nutrients.