Seed

Short Germinating seeds

Notes
Growing Brussels Sprouts requires a long growing period. It is a hardy, slow-growing, long-season vegetable belonging to the cabbage family.

The "sprouts" that resemble miniature cabbages, grow in the leaf axils, starting at the base of the stem and working upward. The sprouts will improve in quality and will grow best in cool or even lightly frosty weather.

Harvesting

Most open pollinated varieties of Brussels Sprouts are harvested at intervals over a period from the bottom to the top as the sprouts mature.  This is better for a family for a continuous harvest; instead of the newer hybrids, which mature more uniformly with more sprouts all at once.

Optional: When Growing Brussels Sprout pinch out terminal buds (the buds at the top of the plant) to encourages rapid sprout development along the stem, particularly the upper sprouts - although this action will reduce the total yield.

Harvest sprouts from the bottom of the stem to the top as they reach about 1" in diameter.  Sprouts left on the plant too long become tough and lose flavor.

Brussels Sprouts will produce seed the second year.

Planting

Harvest

Cultural

Pythium Damping-Off - This disease commonly affects seeds and young transplants and is caused by the soil-borne fungus.

Downy Mildew - This disease is caused by the fungus Peronospora parasitica and can attack both seedlings and mature vegetable plants.

Alternaria Leaf Spot - This disease is caused by the fungus, Alternaria species, and occurs during warm, moist conditions.

Black Rot - Black rot is caused by a bacterium, Xanthomonas campestris pathovar campestris, and can affect all vegetables in the crucifer family.

Black Leg - The fungus, Phoma lingam, causes black leg.

Wirestem - The fungus, Rhizoctonia solani, causes wirestem.

Fusarium Yellows - Yellows or wilt is a much less important disease today due to the development of varieties resistant to the disease.

Viruses - There are several common viruses that can affect cole crops including Turnip mosaic virus and Cauliflower mosaic virus.

Varieties for Growing Brussels Sprouts

Gardens Alive!
Gardens Alive! is one of the country's leading mail order companies dedicated to biological control of garden pests.

The seed selection isn't exhaustive, but I like the varieties they provide. …And they’re backed by a great company.

Generic Seeds
Generic Seeds.com has a large selection of vegetable garden seeds. They have a selection of heirloom and open-pollinated. They're vegetable garden seeds are inexpensively packaged that passes the savings on to the gardener. They claim that all of their seeds are non-GMO.

Gurney's
Gurney’s Seed and Nursery Co. is a mail-order seed and garden plant company based in Greendale, Indiana. Founded in 1866, Gurney’s specializes in vegetable and flower seeds, gardening supplies and nursery stock, including trees, shrubs, perennials, fruit trees and berries, fertilizers and plant foods.

Great heirloom and open-pollinated vegetable seed selection!

Park Seed Co
A great vegetable seed selection for the home garden. Offering heirloom, open-pollinated, organic, and space-saving varieties. They have been around for over 140 years!