When & How to Harvest Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts improve when harvested at the right size and firmness. Taking sprouts in stages also gives you a longer harvest window from each plant.
How to tell it is ready
Pick sprouts when they are firm, tightly wrapped, and about 1 to 2 inches across, starting from the bottom of the stalk. Loose, puffy, or yellowing sprouts are past prime.
How to harvest
Twist sprouts off by hand or cut them with a knife, removing the leaf beneath each sprout if needed. Support the stalk and work from the bottom upward to avoid breaking the plant.
Timing
Brussels sprouts mature in cool weather, often 85 to 110 days from transplanting. Harvest after cool fall temperatures begin, making multiple passes as lower sprouts size up first. Pick during the cooler part of the day.
After the harvest
Cool sprouts promptly and keep them refrigerated. Leave them unwashed until use unless they are muddy. If you cut the whole stalk, keep it cool and trim sprouts as needed.
Tips
Remove mature lower sprouts regularly to keep the harvest moving upward. Do not wait for every sprout on the stalk to size up at once.
General guidance for US home gardens. Timing varies by variety and region; check your local frost dates. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.