Brussels Sprout 'Clodius'

Where to Plant

Choose a sunny position with fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Brussels sprouts grow best in firm ground that can support their tall stems, so prepare the bed in advance by incorporating well-rotted compost or manure and allowing the soil to settle. Avoid planting into freshly dug, loose soil where possible.

Planting Outdoors

Our Brussels sprout plants are grown under cool conditions and hardened off, ready for planting directly into their final growing positions. Both plug plants and 9cm potted plants can be planted outdoors on arrival, provided the ground is workable and weather conditions are suitable.

Space plants around 60cm apart, with 60cm between rows. Make a planting hole large enough to accommodate the compost plug or rootball. Set each plant at approximately the same depth as it was growing previously, firm the soil thoroughly around the roots and water well.

Watering & Feeding

Keep newly planted Brussels sprouts well watered while they establish. Once growing strongly, water thoroughly during prolonged dry spells, particularly during summer when the sprouts are developing. A mulch of well-rotted compost or organic matter will help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Brussels sprouts are hungry crops. Well-prepared fertile soil provides a good start, but a balanced vegetable fertiliser can be applied during the growing season if needed, following the manufacturer's instructions. Avoid excessive high-nitrogen feeding, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of sprout development.

Supporting Your Plants

'Clodius' is known for its strong, upright growth and good standing ability. However, plants in exposed or windy gardens may still benefit from staking. Use a sturdy cane and soft garden twine to support the main stem without restricting growth. Check plants after strong winds and firm the soil around any loosened roots.

Winter Care

Established Brussels sprout plants are hardy and can remain outdoors through winter. Check them after severe weather, particularly strong winds or repeated freezing and thawing, and firm the soil around any plants that have become loose. Remove yellowing or badly damaged lower leaves where necessary.

Pests & Problems

Protect young plants from cabbage white butterflies, cabbage root fly and pigeons using suitable insect-proof mesh or securely supported netting. Fit protection early, secure the edges and leave enough room for plants to develop.

Check regularly for caterpillars, aphids and signs of damage, particularly during summer. 'Clodius' has reported good resistance to powdery mildew and ring spot, but this does not mean it is immune to these diseases or resistant to other brassica problems. Keep the growing area weed free and maintain good airflow around the plants.

Good Companions

Brussels sprouts can be grown alongside beetroot, onions and garlic, provided each crop has enough space and access to light. Flowering herbs and plants such as thyme, calendula and nasturtiums can be grown nearby to attract pollinators and other beneficial insects. Companion planting is useful for garden diversity, but should not be relied upon to prevent brassica pests.

Planning Your Brassica Bed

Growing Brussels sprouts alongside cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and kale makes it easier to manage brassica crops together. You can protect the whole area with suitable mesh and keep a clear record of where these crops have been grown. Remember that Brussels sprouts occupy their space for much of the year, so allow room for their mature height and spread when planning neighbouring crops.

Crop Rotation

Avoid growing Brussels sprouts or other members of the cabbage family in the same position year after year. Where space allows, use a three- to four-year rotation, moving brassicas to a different bed and growing unrelated crops in their place. This helps reduce the build-up of certain pests and soil-borne diseases.

Reducing the Risk of Clubroot

Clubroot is a soil-borne disease that causes swollen, distorted roots and can leave plants stunted or prone to wilting. It can remain in the soil for many years, so prevention is particularly important.

Improve drainage, avoid moving soil from affected areas and check the soil pH before planting. Brassicas generally prefer neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Where a soil test shows the ground is too acidic, garden lime may help improve growing conditions. Crop rotation is good practice, but will not eliminate clubroot from infected soil.

When to Harvest

Check your Brussels sprouts regularly as they approach maturity. Sprouts are ready when they are firm, tightly closed and bright green, usually around the size of a walnut. Avoid leaving mature sprouts until their outer leaves begin to loosen or turn yellow.

How to Pick Brussels Sprouts

Start with the lowest mature sprouts and work upwards as those higher on the stem develop. Remove each sprout with a firm downward twist or tug, taking care not to damage the main stem. The lower leaf can be removed at the same time to make harvesting easier.

Keep Picking

Pick a few mature sprouts from each plant as needed, leaving the smaller ones to develop. You don't need to harvest the entire stem at once. During cold weather, healthy plants can often be left standing so you can continue picking fresh sprouts over several weeks.

Harvesting Sprout Tops

Once the main crop has finished, the tender leafy tops can also be harvested and used as winter greens. Choose healthy young leaves, wash them thoroughly and cook them in much the same way as cabbage or spring greens.

Top Tip

For the best eating quality, pick sprouts while they're still tightly closed. Don't wait for the largest possible size — a smaller, firm sprout is better than one that has started to open.

Flavour & Texture

Fresh Brussels sprouts have a mildly nutty flavour and a satisfying, tender texture when cooked until just done. Their flavour can become sweeter after cold weather, making them particularly enjoyable during winter. Avoid overcooking, which can give them a stronger flavour and softer texture.

Nutritional Benefits

Brussels sprouts provide vitamin C, folate and dietary fibre as part of a healthy, balanced diet. An 80g portion of cooked Brussels sprouts counts towards your 5 A DAY.

How to Cook Brussels Sprouts

Trim the bases, remove any damaged outer leaves and wash thoroughly. Steam or boil until just tender, roast with olive oil until the edges begin to caramelise, or halve and sauté with butter or garlic. Finely shredded sprouts are also delicious in stir-fries and warm winter salads.

Storing Your Harvest

Brussels sprouts are best enjoyed soon after picking. If you're not cooking them straight away, keep them unwashed in the fridge and use within a few days for the best flavour and texture. Wash and trim just before cooking.

Can You Freeze Brussels Sprouts?

Yes. Wash and trim the sprouts, then blanch in boiling water for around 3–5 minutes, depending on their size. Transfer immediately to iced water to stop the cooking process, drain thoroughly and freeze in suitable airtight containers or freezer bags. Cook from frozen when needed.

Plug Plants

Supplied as healthy young brassica plants in individual compost plugs, with established root systems. Our plug plants are grown under cool conditions and hardened off before despatch, so they're ready to plant directly into their final growing positions in the vegetable garden, raised bed or allotment.

9cm Potted Plants

Supplied as more established plants in individual 9cm nursery pots, with well-developed root systems. These larger plants are ready to plant directly into their final growing positions, giving you a useful head start in the vegetable garden.

Upon Arrival

Remove your plants from their packaging immediately and check the compost moisture. Our brassica plants are grown under cool conditions and hardened off before despatch, ready for planting outdoors.

For plug plants, stand the plugs in a shallow dish of water for a few minutes to allow the compost to absorb moisture. Water potted plants gently from above using a watering can fitted with a fine rose. If the compost is particularly dry, immerse the pots in a bucket of water until air bubbles stop rising, then allow them to drain thoroughly.

If You Can't Plant Straight Away

Ideally, plant your brassicas as soon as possible after delivery. If you need to wait, keep them in a cool, shady, sheltered part of the garden, away from strong winds. Check the compost regularly and keep it moist without allowing it to become waterlogged until you're ready to plant.