Triton

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Sweetly nutty and delicately tender, Triton Brussels sprouts develop a dense, velvety texture with a balanced, mild bite that shines after cool weather.

Each compact head forms along the sturdy stalk in tight, uniform clusters—so you’ll harvest a pleasing rhythm of crisp greens for steaming, roasting, and savory skillet sautés, as well as hearty braises and gratins. A dependable 85-day performer, Triton is made for home gardeners who love reliable flavor from the first frost onward.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 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 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
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)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Triton heads hit that rare sweet spot where the flavor reads nutty but never feral, and the texture stays dense and velvety instead of hollow. It roasts beautifully—get some blister on the outer leaves, then finish with something fatty and salty like browned butter and Parmesan to round the mild bite.

Best Uses

roast until the outer leaves blister and go chestnut-sweet
steam then toss with browned butter for a silky, even coat
pan-sear cut-sides to build caramelized edges for weeknight bowls
braise or gratin with cream to tame the bite and make a plush texture

Flavor Profile

sweet-nutty, gentle brassica bite tender-dense, velvety bite compact leaves that crisp at the edges mild, clean finish after cool weather

Kitchen Pairings

bacon brown butter Parmesan lemon nutmeg

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Watch for cabbage worms and cabbage loopers, which chew holes in leaves—check the plants every 2–3 days and hand-pick larvae early. If you spot eggs or young worms, use an insecticidal soap or a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray and reapply according to label directions, especially after rain. For disease, keep air moving and avoid wetting leaves to reduce fungal issues like downy mildew; remove heavily spotted leaves promptly.

During the main growing phase, how often should I water Brussels sprouts to get steady growth?

From transplant through the final 3–4 weeks before harvest, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week, split into 1–2 deep waterings. Water more consistently during warm spells, because Brussels sprouts form tighter buds when moisture is steady. Mulch around the stems to prevent the soil from drying out between waterings.

How do I know Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera is ready to harvest (and which sprouts to pick first)?

Harvest when the Brussels sprouts at the bottom are firm, reach about 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) across, and feel tight on the stem. Start picking the lowest sprouts first, then continue up the stem every few days as the top ones size up. If you’re near the 85-day mark and sprouts are getting firm, begin harvest on the lower third and plan successive pickings until the top reaches size.