Divino
Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
Wikimedia Commons
Firm, uniform, and attractive sprouts hold well on the stalk for whole-stalk harvest. Medium-size sprouts. For late-season harvest.
Harvest
110d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
6–9
USDA hardiness
Height
10-24 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Divino in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 brassica →Zone Map
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Divino · Zones 6–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | April – May | June – July | June – July | September – September |
| Zone 2 | April – May | June – July | May – July | September – September |
| Zone 11 | January – January | January – February | January – February | April – December |
| Zone 12 | January – January | January – February | January – February | April – December |
| Zone 13 | January – January | January – February | January – February | April – December |
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | May – June | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | April – May | August – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | March – May | July – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | March – April | June – December |
| Zone 9 | January – January | February – March | February – March | May – December |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | January – March | May – December |
Succession Planting
Divino isn't a cut-and-come-again crop — each plant produces one main flush of sprouts, so a second sowing gives you a staggered harvest rather than a single glut. In zone 7, start a second round of seeds indoors 3–4 weeks after your first sowing (late February through March), with transplants going in the ground by late April to early May. That second planting hits its 110-day mark deep in fall, when cooler temps tighten up the sprouts and improve their flavor noticeably.
Don't push a third sowing. Divino transplanted after late May will spend its long juvenile period in peak summer heat, which stunts development and draws heavier pressure from cabbage loopers and flea beetles. Two well-timed plantings is plenty.
Complete Growing Guide
Firm, uniform, and attractive sprouts hold well on the stalk for whole-stalk harvest. Medium-size sprouts. For late-season harvest. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Divino is 110 days to maturity, annual, hybrid (f1).
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Divino reaches harvest at 110 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.
The fruits dry and split when ripe.
Color: Brown/Copper, Green. Type: Siliqua. Length: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
Storage & Preservation
Divino Brussels sprouts keep best at 32–36°F with 95% humidity in perforated plastic bags within a standard refrigerator crisper drawer, where they'll maintain quality for 3–4 weeks. For longer storage, trim loose outer leaves and pack sprouts loosely to prevent moisture accumulation and rot. Freezing is the most reliable preservation method: blanch whole or halved sprouts for 4–5 minutes, cool rapidly in ice water, drain thoroughly, and freeze in single layers before bagging. Frozen sprouts retain good texture for up to one year. Divino also ferments exceptionally well—halve the sprouts, pack tightly in a 3% saltwater brine, and ferment at room temperature for 2–3 weeks for a tangy, probiotic condiment. Avoid canning whole sprouts due to uneven heat penetration and texture loss.
History & Origin
Divino is an F1 hybrid developed through controlled cross-pollination. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.
Origin: W. Europe
Advantages
- +Firm, uniform sprouts maintain quality throughout the entire harvest window
- +Whole-stalk harvest capability reduces labor time compared to individual picking
- +Medium-size sprouts offer ideal balance of tenderness and yield
- +Attractive appearance makes Divino suitable for fresh market sales
- +Extended stalk holding ability minimizes waste from premature sprouting
Considerations
- -110-day maturity requires long growing season in most climates
- -Late-season harvest increases risk of frost damage in cold regions
- -Medium sprout size may produce lower total yield per plant
Companion Plants
Nasturtiums and marigolds pull real weight next to Divino. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for aphids — the bugs pile onto them and leave your sprouts alone. French marigolds have a documented suppressive effect on soil nematode populations, and given that Divino sits in the ground for 110 days, that slow-burn protection adds up. Dill is worth tucking in nearby too: it draws parasitic wasps that target cabbage loopers, which will find your Brussels sprouts with or without your help. Onions and garlic planted at the border help break up the scent trail that whiteflies use to locate host plants.
Keep tomatoes on the other side of the garden. They root at roughly the same 6–12 inch depth as Divino and compete hard for water and nitrogen over a long shared season. Pole beans are less obvious offenders, but they fix nitrogen in a way that pushes soft, lush foliage — exactly the growth texture that makes aphid colonies take hold faster.
Plant Together
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and flea beetles, protecting brassicas
Marigolds
Repel cabbage worms and other harmful insects with their strong scent
Dill
Attracts beneficial wasps that parasitize cabbage worms
Onions
Repel cabbage root fly and aphids with their sulfur compounds
Garlic
Deters cabbage loopers and aphids, may improve disease resistance
Lettuce
Provides ground cover and efficient space usage without competing for nutrients
Spinach
Compatible growth habits and helps maximize garden space utilization
Carrots
Different root depths reduce competition and carrots may help break up soil
Keep Apart
Tomatoes
Both are heavy feeders competing for nutrients, may stunt brassica growth
Strawberries
Can inhibit brassica growth and may share similar pest problems
Pole Beans
May shade brassicas and compete for soil nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #747447)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Common Pests
Cabbage looper, flea beetles, whiteflies, aphids
Diseases
Clubroot, downy mildew, black rot, grey mold
Troubleshooting Divino
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Leaves wilting and yellowing from the base up, with stunted overall growth — roots show swollen, distorted galls when pulled
Likely Causes
- Clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae) — a soil-borne pathogen that persists for years and thrives in acidic, wet soils
- Waterlogged beds that stress roots and make them more susceptible
What to Do
- 1.Pull and bag the entire plant — don't compost it, don't leave roots in the soil
- 2.Lime the bed to raise pH toward 7.2, which suppresses Plasmodiophora brassicae activity
- 3.Rotate out of all brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale, radishes) for at least 4 years in that bed
Gray-brown fuzzy patches on leaves or developing sprouts, especially after several cool, damp days in a row
Likely Causes
- Grey mold (Botrytis cinerea) — thrives in humid conditions with poor airflow, often hits crowded plantings first
- Spacing plants too close — Divino needs 18–24 inches between plants; less than that and the canopy stays wet too long
What to Do
- 1.Remove and trash all affected tissue immediately — Botrytis cinerea spreads fast once it's sporulating
- 2.Thin or stake nearby plants to open up airflow through the canopy
- 3.Water at the base only, and water in the morning so foliage dries before nightfall
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Divino Brussels sprouts take to mature?▼
Is Divino Brussels sprouts good for beginners?▼
What does Divino Brussels sprouts taste like?▼
How much spacing do Divino Brussels sprouts need?▼
When should I plant Divino Brussels sprouts?▼
Can I grow Divino Brussels sprouts in containers?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
- BreederJohnny's Selected Seeds
- USDAUSDA FoodData Central
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.