Nautic

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Sweetly nutty and gently peppery, Nautic Brussels sprouts develop into tight, jewel-like buttons with a tender bite and a crisp, leafy texture.

As the season cools, the heads deepen to a rich, velvety green that roasts beautifully, yet stays satisfying for fresh salads and quick skillet sautés. Ideal for gardeners who love a long harvest window—Nautic rewards patience with consistent, uniform sprouts over time.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Upright

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 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 19th
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)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Nautic’s tight, uniform buttons give you consistent bite—sweet-nutty flavor with a mild pepper that can handle high heat without going harsh. It roasts into a velvety green with crisp edges, and it also holds up in salads because the leaves stay snappy even after dressing.

Best Uses

hot dry-roast or sheet-pan roasting until edges go deeply caramelized
quick skillet sauté with a glossy finish (finish with butter/olive oil)
shaved or halved sprouts in a cold salad—dress and let them lightly wilt at the edges
braise to mellow the pepper and turn the interiors luxuriously soft

Flavor Profile

sweetly nutty gently peppery tender-bite crispness roasty vegetal sweetness

Kitchen Pairings

bacon butter lemon Parmesan mustard hazelnut

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera), and how should I respond?

Watch for cabbage worms/loopers and aphids, which chew leaves and stunt growth; inspect the undersides of leaves weekly. Hand-pick caterpillars early, then use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) according to label directions for active larvae. If you see yellowing with black-brown spotting or a foggy fungal growth on moist leaf surfaces, improve airflow by removing lower leaves and avoid overhead watering; consider a copper-based spray early in the onset if it’s been reliably problematic in your garden.

How often should I water Brussels sprouts during the main growing phase (roughly the 30–70 day period)?

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, aiming for even moisture as the sprouts begin forming. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week depending on weather, and increase frequency during hot, windy spells so the top 2–4 inches stay damp without staying soggy. Mulch around the plants helps prevent moisture swings that can cause loose, poorly filled sprouts.

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

Harvest starting from the bottom: sprouts are ready when they are firm, about 1–2 inches across, and the leaves around each sprout are bright and tight. Plan on the first harvest near 85 days after sowing/transplanting, with successive picking every few days as upper sprouts mature. Taste and texture should be crisp and sweet—if sprouts feel spongy or the leaves begin to yellow heavily, pick immediately.