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When to plant Brussels sprouts

Plant Brussels sprouts 1–3 weeks before the last spring frost in spring, or 13–16 weeks before the first fall frost for a fall crop. Wait until the soil is at least 45°F. That works out to zone 5b (mid April to late April), zone 7a (late March to early April) and zone 9a (early February to late February).

Brussels sprouts planting dates by zone

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec 2a Start indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8 Plant Apr 29 – May 13 3b Start indoors Mar 22 – Apr 5 Plant Apr 26 – May 10 4a Start indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3 Plant Apr 24 – May 8 Fall planting Jun 6 – Jun 27 4b Start indoors Mar 18 – Apr 1 Plant Apr 22 – May 6 Fall planting Jun 9 – Jun 30 5a Start indoors Mar 16 – Mar 30 Plant Apr 20 – May 4 Fall planting Jun 11 – Jul 2 5b Start indoors Mar 10 – Mar 24 Plant Apr 14 – Apr 28 Fall planting Jun 18 – Jul 9 6a Start indoors Mar 5 – Mar 19 Plant Apr 9 – Apr 23 Fall planting Jun 25 – Jul 16 6b Start indoors Feb 27 – Mar 13 Plant Apr 3 – Apr 17 Fall planting Jun 29 – Jul 20 7a Start indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4 Plant Mar 25 – Apr 8 Fall planting Jul 5 – Jul 26 7b Start indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23 Plant Mar 16 – Mar 30 Fall planting Jul 12 – Aug 2 8a Start indoors Jan 30 – Feb 13 Plant Mar 6 – Mar 20 Fall planting Jul 18 – Aug 8 8b Start indoors Jan 19 – Feb 2 Plant Feb 23 – Mar 9 Fall planting Jul 26 – Aug 16 9a Start indoors Jan 5 – Jan 19 Plant Feb 9 – Feb 23 Fall planting Aug 6 – Aug 27 9b Start indoors Dec 10 – Dec 24 Plant Jan 14 – Jan 28 Fall planting Aug 20 – Sep 10 10a Start indoors Nov 13 – Nov 27 Plant Dec 18 – Jan 1 Fall planting Sep 3 – Sep 24
■ spring planting · ■ fall planting · ■ start seeds indoors. Zones from the USDA 2023 map; dates from NOAA frost normals for the weather stations in each zone.
ZoneSpringFallBrussels sprouts ready from
4a Apr 24 – May 8Jun 6 – Jun 27 Jul 30
4b Apr 22 – May 6Jun 9 – Jun 30 Jul 28
5a Apr 20 – May 4Jun 11 – Jul 2 Jul 26
5b Apr 14 – Apr 28Jun 18 – Jul 9 Jul 20
6a Apr 9 – Apr 23Jun 25 – Jul 16 Jul 15
6b Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 29 – Jul 20 Jul 9
7a Mar 25 – Apr 8Jul 5 – Jul 26 Jun 30
7b Mar 16 – Mar 30Jul 12 – Aug 2 Jun 21
8a Mar 6 – Mar 20Jul 18 – Aug 8 Jun 11
8b Feb 23 – Mar 9Jul 26 – Aug 16 May 31
9a Feb 9 – Feb 23Aug 6 – Aug 27 May 17
9b Jan 14 – Jan 28Aug 20 – Sep 10 Apr 21

How to plant Brussels sprouts

Plant astransplants
Soil temperature45°F or warmer
DepthSame depth as the pot
Spacing18–24 in
LightFull sun
Time to harvest90–110 days
Start indoors6–8 weeks before the last frost (zone 6a: Mar 5 – Mar 19; zone 8a: Jan 30 – Feb 13)

Brussels sprouts need a long, cool season, so most gardeners grow them as a fall crop.

Removing the top of the plant 3–4 weeks before harvest makes sprouts size up together.

They tolerate temperatures into the low 20s°F.

When to harvest Brussels sprouts

Pick sprouts from the bottom up when they are 1–2 inches and firm. A few frosts improve the flavor.

Exact dates for your town: planting calendar · frost dates by state.

More vegetables to plant

Tomatoes · Bell peppers · Potatoes · Pumpkins · Cucumbers · Okra · Zucchini · Watermelon