How to Grow Brussel Sprouts in Central Florida

Conduct a soil test with a home kit or send samples to a laboratory. The soil test will indicate whether the area where you'll be planting Brussels sprouts is deficient in any major nutrients, and what the pH level is.

Set a 3-inch layer of compost on the garden bed's surface.

Lay down any additional amendments. If your pH is below 6.5, add 5 pounds of limestone per 100 feet for every point you need to raise the pH. If it is above 7.5, add 1 pound of sulfur per 100 feet for every point you need to raise the pH. In addition, scatter a layer of blood meal or soybean meal if your soil is deficient in nitrogen -- 3 to 5 pounds per 100 square feet.

With your spade or tiller, work compost and any additional amendments into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil.

Choose Brussels sprouts seeds with the earliest maturity rate to help beat Florida's hotter springs. The University of Florida recommends "Long Island Improved" or "Jade Cross," both of which are ready for harvest in 85 to 90 days.

Sow seeds in early winter -- no later than December. Plant the seeds in the garden at a depth of 1/4 inch and a spacing of 2 inches, with rows 2 feet apart.

Thin your Brussels sprouts seedlings when they are about 4 weeks old. The final spacing should be at least 2 feet apart in all directions.

Give Brussels sprouts about 1 inch of water a week until they are 8 to 10 weeks old. Water around the base of the plant, not on the foliage or sprouts, to reduce the chance of fungal disease.

Monitor Brussels sprouts for insect infestations. Aphids and thrips can be removed with a blast of water from a hose, while larger pests like cabbage worms can be hand picked and dropped into soapy water.

Fertilize the plants when they are about 6 weeks old. Set a 1-inch layer of compost at the base of each plant and water thoroughly.

Pinch of the top of each Brussels sprouts plant when it is 8 weeks old or at least 15 inches tall. Removing this top lateral bud, which looks like a cabbage on top of the tree, will force the plant to put its energy into producing all of the sprouts on its side, at the same time.

Reduce weekly water to about one-half inch when the plants are 8 to 10 weeks old.

Harvest when the buds are 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. If you've pinched out the top terminal bud to force all sprouts to ripen simultaneously, you can uproot the entire plant. Leave the plant in the garden, harvesting any new sprout formations that may occur.