Brussels sprouts need sowing early and a long growing season — here's the exact UK timing, variety picks, and the one mistake that causes loose, leafy sprouts.
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Sowing dates and growing advice verified against RHS guidance by the SoilCommander Growing Team.
Brussels Sprout Planting Calendar
| Task | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sow indoors | February – March | 13–16°C; modules or trays |
| Sow outdoors (seedbed) | March – April | Thin or transplant when 10–15cm tall |
| Transplant to final position | May – June | 60cm apart; firm in well — loose soil causes loose sprouts |
| Harvest | October – March | Sweetest after hard frost; harvest from bottom of stem upwards |
Key Growing Tips
- Firm soil is essential — loose soil causes loose, leafy sprouts; tread the ground firmly around each plant
- Net immediately after transplanting — cabbage white butterflies active April–September
- Rotate brassicas every 3–4 years to avoid clubroot
- Harvest sprouts from the bottom of the stem upwards for the most tender picks
Top Varieties
- Evesham Special — classic, very hardy, excellent flavour after frost
- Trafalgar F1 — RHS AGM, uniform, disease-resistant, mid-season
- Red Rubine — striking purple-red sprouts, ornamental and productive
Browse all sowing dates in the UK vegetable planting calendar · Explore all UK vegetable growing guides
Relevant next steps
Plan The Timing Before You Sow
Use the planting window with a planner, seed-starting setup, and the full calendar so dates stay practical for your garden.
Plan the next step
Use the printable UK Vegetable Garden Planner to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts, and weekly garden tasks.