Gustus Brussels Sprout

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Sweet, nutty sprouts emerge in a tidy column, their flavor turning especially rich as the weather cools—each bud forming with a dense, velvety bite.

Gustus Brussels Sprout delivers uniform, deep-green globes with a crisp-tender texture that holds beautifully for roasting, steaming, and gratin-style dishes, as well as for hearty braises and tangy pickles. Grow it for a long-season harvest that feels like a garden treasure chest from late fall onward.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Gustus 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)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Gustus is built for the cold-weather alchemy: the sprouts get sweeter and more nutty, with a dense, velvety mouthfeel that holds up to high heat. Quarter-and-roast them cut-side down to chase caramelized edges while keeping the interiors tender, not chalky.

Best Uses

hot-pan roasting until the cut faces go deeply caramelized and the cores stay custardy
steam-then-brown finishing for crisp-tender sprouts that don’t turn sulfurous
shingle-grated gratin style with cream and cheese for a cohesive, browned top
quick tangy pickling for crunch that keeps its sweetness

Flavor Profile

sweet-nutty bite crisp-tender, densely velvety texture gentle cabbage tang with a warming, roasted savor

Kitchen Pairings

bacon garlic lemon balsamic vinegar Parmesan olive oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common pest or disease on Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera) and how do I manage it?

Watch for cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm/diamondback moth larvae) that chew holes in the leaves and can damage developing Brussels sprouts. Hand-pick larvae early, then spray with an appropriate Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) product when small caterpillars are present. For disease, remove lower yellowing leaves and improve airflow; if clubroot or black rot is suspected, don’t plant Brassica again in the same spot and avoid overhead watering.

How often should I water Brussels sprouts during the main growing phase?

During active growth (most of the 85-day period), keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for roughly 1 inch of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings if it’s hot or windy. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent problems in heavy soil. Water steadily toward the base to support even sprout development in the leaf axils.

How can I tell when Brussels sprouts are ready to harvest?

Harvest starting when the sprouts in the lower third are firm, tightly packed, and about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) wide. Pick by hand by twisting or cutting; harvest from the bottom up as each sprout reaches size. Continue harvesting every few days until the plant has formed full-sized sprouts all the way up the stem.