How to Grow Brussels Sprouts in Time for Christmas: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

No traditional Christmas dinner in the UK is complete without Brussels sprouts—whether you love them or loathe them, they’re a festive staple. But growing your own Brussels sprouts brings a whole new level of appreciation to this misunderstood vegetable. Homegrown sprouts are sweeter, fresher, and more flavourful than supermarket versions, especially when harvested after a good frost.

This step-by-step guide will show you how to grow Brussels sprouts in time for Christmas, covering everything from sowing to harvesting. With the right planning and care, you’ll have perfect sprouts ready to pick and serve with your Christmas roast.

Why Grow Brussels Sprouts at Home?

🎄 Perfect for festive meals: Harvested fresh for your Christmas dinner
🧊 Frost improves flavour: Cold weather makes sprouts sweeter and less bitter
🌿 Nutrient-rich: Packed with vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants
🌱 Long growing season: One sowing produces for months
🪴 Cold-hardy crop: Thrives when most other vegetables fade

Best Brussels Sprouts Varieties for Christmas Harvest

Variety	Days to Maturity	Notes
Brigitte F1	180–210 days	Early to mid-season variety, great flavour
Bosworth F1	200–220 days	Ideal for Christmas harvesting, uniform sprouts
Crispus F1	190–220 days	Clubroot-resistant, reliable cropping
Bedford Fillbasket	200+ days	Heritage variety, traditional taste
Redarling F1	210+ days	Striking red sprouts, sweeter flavour

Tip: Choose varieties with a maturity period that matches your sowing window and local frost dates.

When to Plant Brussels Sprouts for Christmas

Brussels sprouts need 6–7 months to mature, so timing is crucial:

Task	UK Timing
Sow indoors or under cover	Late February to early April
Sow outdoors (seed bed)	March to May
Transplant seedlings	May to June
Harvest sprouts	November to January (Christmas!)

To ensure sprouts are ready for Christmas, sow between February and April, and transplant by June.

Where to Grow Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts prefer:

Open, sunny positions
Firm, fertile, well-drained soil
Sheltered locations protected from strong winds

They grow well in:

Vegetable patches
Raised beds
Deep grow bags (for compact varieties)

Step-by-Step: How to Grow Brussels Sprouts for Christmas

Step 1: Prepare the Soil

Brussels sprouts need:

Firm soil to anchor their tall stalks
A pH of 6.5–7.5 (add lime if acidic)
Well-rotted manure or compost added the autumn before planting

Just Before Planting:

Rake in a general-purpose fertiliser (e.g., Growmore or fish blood & bone)
Firm the soil by treading down or patting it with the back of a rake

Step 2: Sow the Seeds

Indoor Sowing (Feb–April):

Sow seeds 1cm deep in trays or modules
Keep at 10–15°C, in a bright location
Transplant when seedlings are 8–10cm tall and have 4–6 true leaves

Outdoor Sowing (March–May):

Sow in a prepared seed bed in rows 15cm apart
Sow thinly 1cm deep
Water regularly and thin seedlings to 5–7cm apart
Transplant to final position after 5–6 weeks

Step 3: Transplant to Final Growing Site

Transplant when plants are 10–15cm tall
Space 60cm apart in rows 70cm apart
Firm soil well around the base to prevent wind rock
Water well before and after transplanting

Optional: Use brassica collars around the base to protect against cabbage root fly.

Caring for Brussels Sprouts

1. Watering

Keep soil moist but not waterlogged
Water deeply during dry periods, especially in summer
Avoid shallow watering—it encourages weak roots

2. Feeding

Feed monthly with a high-nitrogen fertiliser (e.g., chicken manure pellets)
Apply liquid seaweed feed in late summer to boost sprout development

3. Earthing Up & Staking

Mound soil around the base of the stem to improve stability
In exposed areas, stake tall plants to prevent wind damage

4. Mulching

Add mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds

Protecting Brussels Sprouts from Pests

Pest/Disease	Symptoms	Solutions
Cabbage white butterfly	Holes in leaves, caterpillars present	Use fine mesh netting, remove caterpillars by hand
Cabbage root fly	Wilting plants, damaged roots	Use brassica collars, rotate crops
Aphids	Sticky residue, distorted leaves	Spray with soapy water or insecticidal soap
Pigeons	Shredded leaves, bare stems	Netting is essential in autumn and winter
Clubroot	Swollen, distorted roots	Lime soil, rotate crops, grow resistant varieties

Forming Perfect Sprouts: Tips for Tight, Round Buttons

Choose the right variety and sow at the right time
Ensure soil is firm and fertile
Avoid overfeeding late in the season—it encourages loose sprouts
Pick off any yellowing leaves to focus energy on sprout formation
Harvest from the bottom up as sprouts mature

Harvesting Brussels Sprouts in Time for Christmas

When to Harvest:

Sprouts are ready when they are firm, round, and 2.5–4cm in diameter
Usually November to January, depending on the variety and weather

How to Harvest:

Twist or cut sprouts from the stem, starting from the bottom
Pick little and often for maximum freshness
Leave the plant in place—sprouts continue forming upwards

Bonus: After sprout harvest, the top crown can be cut and cooked like cabbage—it’s delicious!

Storing and Using Brussels Sprouts

Storage Tips:

Keep fresh sprouts in the fridge for up to a week
Harvest with part of the stalk for better storage
For longer storage, blanch and freeze sprouts

Cooking Ideas:

Roast with garlic and olive oil
Shred and sauté with bacon or chestnuts
Steam lightly and toss with lemon juice
Add to stir-fries or gratins

Growing Brussels Sprouts in Containers

It’s possible to grow sprouts in large containers!

Container Growing Tips:

Use 40cm deep pots or half-barrels
Fill with firm, compost-rich soil
Grow compact varieties like Crispus F1
Stake well and water regularly

Crop Rotation and Aftercare

Brussels sprouts are brassicas—don’t grow in the same spot more than once every 3 years
Follow with legumes (peas, beans) to restore nitrogen
At the end of the season, compost healthy plants and clear beds for spring

Companion Planting for Brussels Sprouts

Good Companions:

Onions and garlic – deter aphids and pests
Beetroot – roots help condition soil
Nasturtiums – act as a sacrificial crop for aphids
Mint (in pots nearby) – deters flea beetles

Avoid Planting Near:

Strawberries – attract the same pests
Other brassicas – increases disease risk if planted too close

Conclusion

Growing Brussels sprouts in time for Christmas takes patience and planning—but the rewards are well worth it. Homegrown sprouts are crisp, flavourful, and infinitely better than their supermarket counterparts, especially after a winter frost sweetens their flavour. With the right variety, early sowing, and a little care through the summer and autumn, you’ll be pulling beautiful sprouts from your garden just in time for your Christmas feast.

Follow this step-by-step guide and you’ll be enjoying festive, garden-fresh Brussels sprouts with your roast turkey, stuffing, and all the trimmings—grown with your own two hands.