Autumn and winter are high season for the Brussels sprout harvest. Its cultivation period, on the other hand, begins in early spring. There are two options for sowing. From April, the Brussels sprouts can be sown directly into the bed. However, since the seedlings are sensitive to frost, we recommend growing them in frost-free rooms.
How do you sow Brussels sprouts correctly?
Brussels sprouts can be sown in seed trays, pot trays or an unheated cold frame in March to avoid night frosts. When sowing outdoors from April, the seeds should be sown in rows in well-prepared beds; the seedlings are separated later.
Sowing in cold frames, pot plates or in seed trays
You can prevent possible night frosts by sowing Brussels sprouts in seed trays or pot plates. An unheated cold frame is just as suitable. In both cases you can start growing as early as March.
How to sow seeds in pot plates:
- Fill the pot plate with potting soil up to approx. 0.5 cm below the edge
- scatter three Brussels sprout seeds per individual pot
- cover with soil and keep moist with a spray bottle
- the germination time is approx. one week
- Pricking out after the first four leaves have developed
- only the strongest plant is preserved
Sowing outdoors
The time for outdoor sowing begins in April. Brussels sprouts are sown in rows in a well-prepared bed. The seed is sown thinly in grooves one to two cm deep and lightly covered with soil. When watering, you should be careful not to wash away the seeds.
The first seedlings will develop after about a week. Once they have formed three to four leaves, they are separated to a minimum distance of 15 cm.
Relocating the young Brussels sprouts
The strong young plants come to their final place in the bed from mid-May to the end of June. The planting distance is at least 50 – 70 cm. With good care, the Brussels sprout harvest begins in September.
Tips & Tricks
Pot plates make sowing vegetable seeds and planting seedlings easy. Excess irrigation water flows out through holes in the bottom and, depending on the size, the pot plate also fits on the sunny windowsill.
