Growing Brussel Sprouts in Virginia

Prepare the soil in a sunny location by tilling it and removing any large debris like rocks or sticks. Add well-rotted manure or compost to the soil and work it in. Mix in sand or perlite if the soil drains poorly or is high in clay. The soil should feel like a wrung-out sponge when squeezed.

Plant the seeds in early to mid-summer. Brussel sprouts take 80 to 100 days to harvest from seed, so ensure the seeds have enough time to develop before the average fall freeze in your area. They should be ready right around the first frost. The average first frost is Oct. 30 in Richmond and Nov. 23 in Norfolk. Space the seeds 18 to 24 inches apart in rows that are 30 to 36 inches apart.

Water the plants thoroughly after planting and keep them moist throughout the growing season. Do not allow them to sit in water. Water them early in the morning before the sun is high in the sky so the water has time to soak into the soil.

Fertilize the plants with a sidedressing of ammonium nitrate when they are 12 inches high. Use at a rate of 1 tbsp. per 20-foot row.

Harvest the brussel sprouts after the first frost by snapping them off. The sprouts should be tight, bright green and 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide.