The brussel sprout is a slow-growing vegetable that requires cool weather to produce the best tasting harvest.  The sprouts grow vertically along the plant’s thick main stem, and can grow up to 2-3 feet in height. Brussel sprouts make for excellent table fare, and are high in protein and vitamin C. As an added bonus, the leaves from the brussel sprout bush can be prepared similarly to collard greens and are packed with nutritional benefits.

So you’ve decided to plant brussels sprouts in your fantasitc garden, nice! According to our research on brussels sprouts, we don’t recommend planting strawberry and tomato nearby.

When choosing to add brussel sprouts to your home garden, the most important factor is what time of year you’ll be planting. Brussel sprouts actually thrive best in cold, frost-laden, temperatures, than they do in warmer climates. Plant each seedling about 2 feet apart, leaving ample room for a 2-3 foot tall bush to grow. If your area is susceptible to high winds, stake each plant when it begins to bear sprouts, as the added weight from the sprouts make the stalks very fragile.

The average growing cycle, from seedling to harvest, can be up to 100 days. Brussel sprouts are ready to be harvested when they are 1-2 inches in diameter. Sprouts at the bottom of the stalk will be more mature than ones higher up, so begin picking them by twisting them off at the stem at the lowest level and working upwards as you need more. Twisting, or pinching, off the tops of each sprout encourages new growth.