Brussels sprouts are a great addition to your home garden. However, being a slow-growing, cool-season crop can make growing this nutritious vegetable a bit of a challenge. Learn how to grow Brussels sprouts in Denver and be sure to reach out to Nick’s if you need help choosing the best variety for your home garden.
When to Plant
Brussels sprouts are a cool-weather crop. Sow your seeds in late spring or early summer when the soil has warmed up to give your crop a good start. Otherwise, transplant young plants in late spring to coincide with a fall harvest. You can also time your planting for late fall for a winter harvest. When transplanting, consider using raised beds since the soil warms up faster.
When to Expect Harvest?
Brussels sprouts require a long growing season with most varieties taking between 90 and 100 days to mature. When the lower leaves start turning color from green to a lighter yellow, it is time to harvest. Check individual sprouts and harvest those with the desired firmness and size. If you wait too long, you will notice that the leaves turn yellow, and sprouts will start toughening. Such sprouts are also bitter and less tasty.
Watering
Water your sprouts deeply and consistently to support growth. A good starting point is 1-1.5 inches of water weekly. You can also check the soil moisture level to guide your watering frequency. Using a soaker hose is also recommended to deliver water directly to the soil while keeping leaves dry.
Amount of Sun
Brussels sprouts are a full-sun crop. They grow best in sunny locations, so choose a planting site that gets six to eight hours of direct sun daily. If your garden does not get the recommended amount of sunlight, consider planting in movable containers to optimize sun exposure.
Types of Pests to Expect
Several insects love to feed on Brussels sprouts. Keep a watchful eye for pests such as flea beetles, cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, cabbage maggots, spider mites, diamondback moths, cutworms, and thrips. These are pests that can damage the leaves and reduce productivity, cause stunted growth, or damage roots causing your plants to wilt and die.
How to Protect from Pests
Check young plants for pests before transplanting. If only a few leaves are affected, prune them before planting. You can also handpick worms, larvae, and aphids or scrape eggs from leaves to prevent the hatching and spread of pests. Other tips for protecting your plants from pests include:
- Using reflective mulches to deter pests such as thrips and aphids
- Planting tolerant varieties, if available
- Using row covers to provide a physical barrier against pests such as moths and flea beetles
Companion planting is also a great way to deter pests and improve your vegetable gardens’ productivity. Some good companions for Brussels sprouts include beet, sage, thyme, onions, rosemary, and carrots.
Additional Tips
Plant in fertile, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. You may need to add organic matter to improve soil fertility and texture.
During the growing season add a nitrogen-rich fertilizer every four to six weeks between rows and rake it into the soil to provide continuous nutrition until the crop matures.
In addition, pruning yellowing leaves allows your plants to focus their energy on sprout development, leading to bigger and healthier sprouts.
For better-tasting sprouts, wait for a few frosts before harvesting. You can find out more about planting, maintenance, and harvesting Brussels sprouts here.
Shop Nicks for Your Garden Needs
Growing Brussels sprouts is a relatively time-intensive but incredibly rewarding project. If you are looking for a new addition to your vegetable garden, drop by Nick’s to learn more about growing Brussels sprouts in Denver. We will help you select the right variety and offer tips and tricks to ensure you grow and harvest tasty sprouts. Contact Nick’s for more information or visit our store for all your garden needs.
