Diablo

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Savory-sweet and richly aromatic, Diablo Brussels sprouts develop dense, velvety heads with a deep green sheen and a pleasantly firm bite.

Expect a compact, upright plant that holds its character through the season, delivering uniform sprouts ideal for roasting to caramelized perfection or for fresh, crisp use in salads and slaws. A standout for home gardeners who want bold flavor and dependable performance from a single, handsome stalk.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 DaysHabit: Rosette

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 22nd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Diablo’s dense heads and uniform size reward high heat—roast them hot enough to blister the leaves, and you get caramel edges with a stubbornly intact center. Pair with fat plus something sharp (lemon or vinegar) to keep the brassica aroma tasting clean instead of cabbage-heavy.

Best Uses

hot-oven roasting until the outer leaves caramelize and crisp
shredded into slaws for a cool, crunchy snap that stays bright
quick sautéing with fat and salt to tame bitterness without softening the centers too much
pan-searing or air-frying for a browned, lacquered exterior

Flavor Profile

savory-sweet rich, deeply aromatic brassica character firm, velvety bite

Kitchen Pairings

bacon butter garlic lemon Parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Brassica oleracea (Diablo) and how can I prevent it?

A common issue is clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae), which causes stunted, yellowing plants with swollen club-like roots. Prevent it by avoiding poorly drained beds and not replanting brassicas in the same spot for several years; amend with lime if your soil test shows low pH. If you spot diseased plants, remove them and their roots to reduce spread in the bed.

How often should I water Diablo Brassica oleracea during the main growing phase?

Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, especially from transplanting through head/leaf development (roughly mid-season to about 70 days in). In most home gardens, that means about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week split into 2–3 soakings, increasing frequency during hot spells. Check moisture 2–3 inches down; if it’s dry at that depth, water, and if it stays soggy, slow down.

How do I tell when Diablo Brassica oleracea is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the crop reaches its full size (about 95 days) and the leaves are firm and well-developed—avoid waiting until they look overly tough or start to yellow at the base. If your Diablo is being grown for tight, uniform curd/compact growth, pick when the head/center feels solid and stops visibly expanding. Harvest in the cool part of the day for best flavor and texture.