Tips for Growing Brussels Sprouts in Winter

Most gardeners know that brussels sprouts prefer cool temperatures, but these tiny wannabe cabbages take the concept of cold-weather gardening to the next level.

With the right care, you can grow a fresh harvest all through the winter.

That means when your summer garden has turned up its toes and called it a day, you can be nibbling on fresh sprout slaw or enjoying them roasted with bacon.

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I’ll let you in on a little secret: Growing veggies in the winter isn’t that much different from growing them in the summer, but instead of battling the heat, you’ll be confronting the cold.

There’s something wonderfully satisfying about pulling a fresh harvest out of your garden in the winter months.

To learn more about how to care for brussels sprouts in winter, here’s what I’ll cover:

Brussels sprouts, Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera, are a cool-weather crop with a long growing season – typically between 80-130 days from planting to harvest, depending on the variety.

They thrive in temperatures between 45-75°F, and can survive short periods down to 20°F.

A light frost or two can improve the flavor of the sprouts and make them taste sweeter. The plant reacts to cold temperatures by breaking down starches in the cells into sugars that act like a natural antifreeze.

The strategy for growing these cruciferous veggies during the winter months depends on your location.

They are suitable for growing in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9, with some varieties exhibiting more cold-hardiness than others.

In areas where the temperatures mostly remain above freezing, with the