Brussels Sprouts Growing Guide Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera Crop Rotation Group Brassicas (Cabbage family) ● Soil Rich, deep soil, firm with plenty of well rotted compost dug in to provide abundant organic matter. Position Full sun. Frost tolerant Yes, improves with frost. Feeding Mix a high-nitrogen compost into the soil before planting. Spacing Single Plants: 1' 11" (60cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 1' 11" (60cm) with 1' 11" (60cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Where summers are cool, start indoors in early spring and set plants out when they have 5 or more leaves. In other areas, start seeds indoors in summer and set out plants 8 weeks before your first fall frost date. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area. Notes Under the coldest conditions, colonies of gray-green cabbage aphids can seriously infest plants. Control early outbreaks with insecticidal soap. Harvesting Harvest from the bottom of the plant upward, twisting off sprouts that are larger than a marble. Removing nearby leaves helps to make room for growing sprouts. Planting and Harvesting Calendar < Back to All Plants Pests which Affect Brussels Sprouts Aphid, Cabbage Aphids (General) Cabbage Root Maggot Slug Snail Plant Diseases which Affect Brussels Sprouts Brassica Alternaria Leaf Spot Brassica Black Rot Brassica Downy Mildew