Hestia

Brussels sprouts are especially prone to cabbage worms (often the larval stage of cabbage moths) that chew holes in leaves and sprouts. Hand-pick visible larvae early, then cover plants with fine row cover once sprouts start forming; if infestations are heavy, use a targeted Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray and reapply as directed after new feeding begins. Watch for black, sooty fungal growth caused by aphids—control aphids promptly by blasting them off with water and applying insecticidal soap if needed.

Harvest when the individual sprouts are firm, reach a typical mature size for your spacing, and show tight, compact heads—start with the bottom sprouts first. Plan for a total growing time around 75 days, but use the “firm and tight” stage rather than the calendar alone. Pick every few days as the lower sprouts ripen; continue harvesting upward until the top sprouts reach the same firm, compact stage.