Join me as I pick our Winter Brussels Sprouts in NYC and show you how and when to harvest them. I also provide general tips on the best conditions for growing and best ways to store them.
A few weeks ago we picked our brussels sprouts from the garden which have been growing all Winter. Thankfully we had a mild Winter so the garden wasn’t filled with much drama, and thankfully I got to do my Brussels Sprouts happy harvest dance. Don’t worry, I’ll spare you with the dance video, but I have plenty of harvest photos!
How and When To Pick Brussels Sprouts
Patience is the most important part in picking Brussels Sprouts. Brussels Sprouts are ready to harvest when they are firm, green, and 1 to 2 inches in diameter. To remove them you simply twist them until they break away from the plant.
You want to make sure you pick them before the buds start to turn yellow and the leaves begin to open.
How Many Times Can You Harvest Brussels Sprouts?
You do not need to harvest the plant all at once, instead you can pick them as you need them. The plant will continue to grow, even if you remove a few sprouts. Keep in mind that once a sprout is picked, new ones will not grow in that specific spot. The plant itself though can continue to grow taller, and more sprouts can appear.
It’s more of a gardeners personal choice (depending on growing season and garden plans) if they want to pick a few at at time, or harvest the entire plant.
How Many Brussels Sprouts Do You Get From One Plant?
There is no set number of sprouts, but one plant can easily yield 2-4 pounds of Brussels Sprouts if growing in great conditions.
How To Store Brussels Sprouts
Brussels Sprouts easily store for weeks in your refrigerator. I recommend storing them loose unwashed in plastic or vegetable mesh bags in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Wash them and trim the ends before cooking with them.
If you still have them on the stalk, keep them on the stalk in the refrigerator as they will stay fresh longer this way. I just put them on my bottom shelf in the refrigerator as that’s the only spot they will fit. I remove them off stalk as needed.
Where Do Brussels Sprouts Grow Best?
Brussels Sprouts like rich soil and thrive during sunny days and chilly nights. You can grow them directly in the ground or they grow well in containers too. They can grow in various climates, but do well in Spring, Fall and Winter. If you have mild Winter conditions, they can even grow all Winter long (like ours did in the Northeast this Winter) . Anything above 70°F can cause Brussels Sprouts to bolt and go to seed, causing bitter sprouts.
Since diseases and insects (especially aphids) like to attack Brussels Sprouts, it’s a good idea to rotate these plants each garden season.
I hope this post helps you grow and pick your Brussels Sprouts! Now go on, it’s time to harvest and bring them back to the kitchen to make Cheesy Brussels Sprouts or Brussels Sprouts and Gnocchi!
Other Gardening Tips You’ll Like:
How To Grow Broccoli From Seeds
How to Grow Tomatoes From Seed
Store Potatoes Perfectly for a Long Time
How to Presprout and Grow Sugar Snap Peas
How to Get Good Seed Germination
We Planted Potatoes and Came Back 3 Months Later
Mommy! It’s a Potato!
How to Store Lettuce to Last for a Month
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Sue says
Those are the BEST looking home grown Brussels Sprouts I’ve ever seen. I’ve had terrible luck growing them & so have the friends I have who’ve tried to grow them, also. Did you have problems with aphids, & if so, how did you control them? I’ve been fortunate as my garden failures have been few, but, I’ve gotten an F-minus each time with this vegetable ☹️