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Starting with the Right Soil for Your Brussels Sprout Plants

Gardening Guide: The Bountiful Brussels Sprout Guide: All You Need to Know About Growing, Harvesting, Cooking, and Eating Delicious Brussels Sprouts

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Starting with the Right Soil for Your Brussels Sprout Plants

By Norann Oleson

Brussels Sprouts being planted in great soil

Brussels Sprouts being planted in great soil

Healthy plants need healthy soil. Brussels sprouts are heavy feeders, and they like firm, nutritious, nitrogen-rich soil. The best strategy for having the soil ready for your Brussels sprouts is to test the soil the season before; Brussels sprouts like soil that’s slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0.

The soil should be firm, fertile, well-drained, and rich with organic matter; this is why it’s great to have your own compost bin/heap. Best practice for Brussels sprouts is to amend the soil the season before and let the land rest for four to six months before planting. You can do that with any gardening setup, really—even containers.

It’s OK if you don’t make your own compost—you can buy bulk compost from most gardening supply stores. Try to find “certified compost” with the U.S. Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance (STA)—their rigorous testing process and standards will ensure you get quality compost.

Next, because you know Brussels sprouts are heavy feeders, find a timed-release fertilizer that you can use throughout the growing season. Worm castings are also healthy amendments to your soil; if you’re feeling really ambitious, you could take up vermicomposting to fortify your garden. But that, of course, means you need to take care of your worms, too.

Remember, soil health is essential to growing healthy, productive plants. Give your Brussels sprouts a fighting chance and get their soil ready ahead of time.

Companion planting allows plants to share space and provide some benefit to each other. Rule #1: Don’t plant crops of the same category together. Since all cruciferous plants (cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale, etc.) are a favorite target of the same pests, you want to plant something else near your Brussels sprouts to reduce the risk of pest infestation.

There are several benefits to companion planting:

  • Repel insect pests
  • Attract beneficial insects
  • Improve soil quality
  • Encourage growth or improve taste
  • Provide ground cover
  • Provide shade

When it comes to companion planting with Brussels sprouts, here are some plants that Brussels sprouts like to share space with. Be sure to give your Brussels sprouts plenty of space of their own, but you can plant these nearby:

  • Basil
  • Mint
  • Marigolds
  • Nasturtiums
  • Beets
  • Bush beans
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Lettuce
  • Onions
  • Peas
  • Potatoes
  • Radishes
  • Spinach
  • Tomatoes
Segregate your Brussels sprouts from other Brassicas

Segregate your Brussels sprouts from other Brassicas

And here is a list of plants to keep away from your Brussels sprouts:

  • Strawberries
  • Other Brassicas
  • Kohlrabi
  • Pole beans

There is one Brassica exception to companion planting with Brussels sprouts. You can plant mustard as a trap crop. The mustard will attract the pests that usually like to chow down on the Brussels sprouts. When you see the pests attacking the mustard plant, dig it up and remove it. Sound a little harsh? It’s a better approach than using insecticide if you don’t have to.

What type of soil do you use to grow your Brussels sprouts? Do you use compost at all? What are your best tips for creating optimal soil for your Brussels sprouts? Please share your techniques with us.

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Tags

basil, beans, beets, beneficial insects, carrots, celery, companion planting, composting, fertilizer, lettuce, mint, onions, peas, potatoes, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes, worm castings

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Curator’s Corner
  • Introduction
  • Feature Articles

  • Types of Brussels Sprout Plants
  • A Word About Varieties of Brussels Sprout Plants
  • Choosing to Grow Brussels Sprouts from Seeds or Seedlings
  • Growing Brussels Sprouts in Open Land, in Containers, or in Raised Beds
  • Starting with the Right Soil for Your Brussels Sprout Plants
  • The Right Sunlight for Your Brussels Sprouts
  • Should You Fertilize Your Brussels Sprout Plants?
  • How—and When—to Water Your Brussels Sprout Plants
  • How to Spot, Treat, and Prevent Brussels Sprout Diseases
  • What to Do About Pests that Can Harm Your Brussels Sprout Plants
  • The Right Way to Weed Your Brussels Sprout Garden
  • Brussels Sprout Rot: How to Identify, Treat, and Prevent Blossom-End Rot
  • Essential Tools and Equipment for Growing and Enjoying Brussels Sprouts
  • Plant Profiles

  • Hestia Brussels Sprouts
  • Jade Cross Brussels Sprouts
  • Rubine Brussels Sprouts
  • Roodnerf Brussels Sprouts
  • Red Bull Brussels Sprouts
  • Long Island Improved Brussels Sprouts
  • Catskill Brussels Sprouts
  • Recipes

  • Brussels Sprout Ragout
  • Roasted Parmesan Brussels Sprouts
  • Brussels Sprouts with Honey Balsamic Glaze
  • Brussels Sprout Slaw
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apples
  • Additional Articles

  • Nutrition Facts about Brussels Sprouts
  • Home Remedies & Health Benefits of Brussels Sprouts
  • Resources about Brussels Sprouts
  • Brussels Sprout Glossary
  • Related Articles

  • 10 Vegetables that Require Little Sun to Flourish
  • How to Water Brussels Sprouts For Better Taste and Disease Resistance

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