Diablo Brussels Sprout

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Rich, smoky-sweet flavor blooms from deep green, tightly packed sprouts—tender yet substantial, with a crisp bite that turns wonderfully mellow as they mature.

Diablo Brussels Sprout forms an upright, sturdy stalk bearing uniform, coin-like heads that roast beautifully and shine in hearty skillet-style preparations, plus they’re ideal for braising and robust sauces. Grow for a long, satisfying season and harvest sprout-by-sprout from the bottom up for peak texture and color.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Diablo Brussels Sprout

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Jul 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Diablo’s dense, coin-like heads roast into a mix of caramelized outer leaves and a gentler, nuttier center—exactly the texture you want when brassicas need to taste less sharp and more smoky-sweet. It’s built for stubborn heat: it stays substantial in the pan and won’t turn watery or cabbage-soupy.

Best Uses

high-heat roast with browned edges (no baby-sprout mush)
braise until the centers turn silky while outer leaves stay caramel-crisp
shingle or shred into a hot skillet sauté with a glossy, fatty sauce
shred for a warm salad where it stays toothsome under dressing

Flavor Profile

smoky-sweet, roasted-brasica savoriness crisp-tender bite with tight leaf structure mellow, nutty finish as sprouts mature holds heat well without going cabbage-slushy

Kitchen Pairings

bacon garlic lemon butter mustard parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera), and how can I control it at home?

Watch for cabbage worms/loopers and aphids, especially on the lower leaves where they start feeding first. Hand-pick larvae early, spray with insecticidal soap for aphid outbreaks, and use floating row cover to prevent egg laying. If you see yellowing with dark, water-soaked spots or consistent leaf spotting, remove infected leaves and avoid overhead watering to reduce spread.

How often should I water Brussels sprouts during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level do they need?

During the main growth to head-forming stage, keep the soil evenly moist—about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week total (more in hot, windy weather). Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, then let excess drain so the soil doesn’t stay soggy. Uneven moisture can slow bud (sprout) development and increase leaf stress.

How do I tell when Diablo Brussels sprouts are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the sprouts are firm and reach roughly 1 to 2 inches wide, starting from the bottom and working upward. At about 85 days to maturity, the lower sprouts should be ready while upper ones continue to size—pick from the bottom first. Avoid waiting until sprouts crack or look loose and hollow.