Brussels Sprouts Seeds - Red Rubine, ORGANIC

Minimum Seeds per Packet: 270

Packet Weight: 2g

Planting Season: Spring, Fall

Sowing Method: Transplant

Seed Depth: 1/4"

Direct Seed Spacing: N/A

Soil Temperature: 40-80 ℉

Days to Sprout: 7-10

Mature Spacing: 18-24"

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Frost Tolerance: Frost Tolerant

Days to Harvest: 90 from Transplant

When to Seed Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are not for the impatient gardener! These plants take about four months from seed to harvest, and need a little more babying than most. But, harvesting your own sweet sprouts for wintertime dinners is quite a reward. Northern gardeners should be able to grow Brussels sprouts in spring and fall but, for gardeners in the South, we recommend only planting Brussels sprouts for a fall or winter harvest. It is also best to start them indoors, where they are protected from the scorching heat and pests. Start your seeds 12 weeks before your last or first frost date. 

Where to Plant Brussels Sprouts

Plant your Brussels sprouts in an area with full sun and well-draining soil that is high in nutrients. You’ll also want to consider the length of time this crop will be in the ground - put it in a place where you can keep it until it’s matured! 

Growing Brussels Sprouts

Sow your seeds in trays ¼ inch deep into the soil. Once your seedlings have reached about six inches tall, and temperatures have cooled down in the fall, transplant them into the garden 18 to 24 inches apart, in rows 24 inches apart. Insects will likely still be plentiful at this time so use a light row cover or insect netting to protect your seedlings. Fertilize with a high nitrogen fertilizer every three to four weeks after planting. Ensure that your Brussels sprouts get at least an inch of water per week, and more if it’s a warm fall. Cut off lower leaves of the plant as they start to yellow - this allows the sprouts to receive more sunlight. 

Harvesting Brussels Sprouts

Your Brussels sprouts will begin to mature about 90 days from transplanting. You can harvest them over time by starting from the bottom of each stalk and working your way up. Alternatively, you can wait until a critical mass is matured and harvest the entire stalk. Brussels sprouts are quite frost tolerant but may benefit from extra protection with row cover.

Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea) are an insect-pollinated biennial. They will go to seed in spring after overwintering. In order to save pure seed, they should be isolated from other B. oleracea varieties (this includes most cabbages, collards, kale, and broccoli) that may flower at the same time by a half-mile. Overwintering Brussels sprouts for seed production can be accomplished by covering the plants with row cover and mulching heavily, or digging up some of the plants and bringing them into a root cellar for the winter, then replanting them outdoors as soon as the soil is workable in spring.

It’s a good idea to stake Brussels sprouts plants as they start to flower, to prevent the flower stalk from falling over onto the ground, which will invite mold and disease. Harvest the entire seed stalk when most of the pods have started to turn brown. Pods will shatter and drop their seed soon after they ripen, so watch carefully. Finish the drying process by hanging flower stalks indoors over a tarp (to catch seeds from shattered pods). Thresh by crushing the pods in a pillowcase or hitting the stalks against the inside of a clean trash can, then winnow out the chaff by pouring the seeds and chaff from one container to another in front of a fan set on low. Make sure seeds are completely dry before storing them in an airtight container in a dark and cool location.