Brussels Sprouts in Cardiff
Brassica oleracea (Gemmifera Group)
Brussels sprouts are a hardy winter brassica (cabbage family) that form sturdy, leafy stems often around 60–90cm tall. They produce edible mini-cabbage buds along the stem from autumn through winter. Thanks to their cold tolerance, sprouts remain productive into late winter, and frost actually improves their sweetness.
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Brussels Sprouts
Planting Calendar
Growing Guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Time your sowing and transplanting to ensure Brussels sprouts are ready for picking over the festive period.
1 Sow Seeds Indoors
Sow seeds indoors in modules around 26th February - 13th March for a Christmas harvest. Cover with of compost and keep at until germination.
2 Prick Out Seedlings
Prick out seedlings into individual pots once they have true leaves, around 19th March - 26th March. Handle carefully to avoid damaging the stems.
3 Harden Off Plants
Harden off plants over 7-10 days around 9th April - 16th April to prepare them for outdoor conditions.
4 Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings to their final position around 11th April - 25th April. Space them apart and firm the soil well around each plant.
5 Install Pest Protection
Cover plants with fine netting and fit brassica collars immediately after transplanting to protect against common pests.
6 Feed Plants
Apply a nitrogen-rich fertiliser every 28 days from 15th December until 2nd May to support growth through the season.
7 Harvest for Christmas
Harvest sprouts from the bottom of the stalk upwards around 15th December - 13th February. Pick them when firm and walnut-sized; frost sweetens the flavour, making them perfect for festive meals.
Related Plants
Explore similar plants you might like
Basil
Basil is a fragrant, tender herb whose leaves are a staple of summer cooking. Native to tropical regions, basil is treated as an annual in temperate climates like the UK because it cannot tolerate frost. It thrives in warm, sunny conditions and can be grown in garden beds or pots for a steady supply of fresh, flavourful leaves throughout the summer.
Calabrese
Calabrese (broccoli) produces a large central head of tightly-packed green buds, followed by smaller side-shoots after the main head is cut. It’s a cool-season brassica crop. Grow it in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and keep plants watered during dry spells. Harvest the heads while firm, then leave the stem in the ground to allow side-shoots to develop.
Chilli Pepper
Chilli peppers are tender perennials grown as annuals in the UK, requiring a long, warm season. They thrive in a greenhouse or a sunny, sheltered outdoor spot, producing fruits that range from mild to intensely hot depending on variety and growing conditions.