How to Grow Brussels Sprouts in Australia
A cool-season brassica crop for the home garden
Growing Brussels Sprouts at home is well within reach for most Australian gardeners, and this guide walks you through every step. They are rated advanced to grow. Saves ~$4-7/week, sprouts are expensive and the homegrown version is far sweeter.
This guide covers when to plant Brussels Sprouts in your region, the position and soil they like, how to sow and space them, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Brussels Sprouts are a cool-season crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland they are sown in February, March and April. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Position and Soil
Give Brussels Sprouts full sun (at least 6 hours a day). They do best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6.5 to 7.5. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. They need an open garden bed rather than a pot, getting too big or deep-rooted for containers.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 1 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 60 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 8 days, fastest when the soil is between 10 and 20 degrees.
Challenging in SEQ, needs a long cool run. Plant early autumn, stake tall plants. Worth trying in Toowoomba / Scenic Rim zones.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 6 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Cabbage moth and Aphids. The main diseases to watch are Clubroot and Downy mildew. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Brussels Sprouts are typically ready to harvest in around 120 days (about 4 months). Fridge on the stalk for up to 1 week, or loose in a bag for 4 days. Blanch and freeze.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, brussels sprouts are good roasted until crispy with bacon, halved and pan-fried with butter, shaved raw into salads and steamed and tossed with lemon. Nutritionally: very high in vitamin C and K and contains sulforaphane, cancer-fighting compound.
Companion Planting
Brussels Sprouts grow well alongside Beetroot and Onion. Keep them away from Tomato and Strawberry. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Brussels Sprouts Growing
Add brussels sprouts to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Brussels Sprouts in Australia?
Brussels Sprouts are a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland they are sown in February, March and April. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Brussels Sprouts take to grow?
Brussels Sprouts are generally ready to harvest in around 120 days (about 4 months).
Can I grow Brussels Sprouts in a pot?
They are best grown in an open garden bed rather than a pot, needing more root room than a container gives.
How much sun does Brussels Sprouts need?
Give they full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Brussels Sprouts in the Plant Library
