When to plant Brussels sprouts by city
Start Brussels sprouts indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost, plant them out 2–4 weeks before your last frost. For a fall crop, sow 14–18 weeks before your first fall frost. Here is what that means for 2027 in cities across the US, using each city’s average frost dates (NOAA 1991–2020). Pick the city with the climate most like yours, or enter your ZIP code above.
| City | Last frost | Start indoors | Plant out | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA (9a) | Mar 13 | Jan 16–30 | Feb 13–27 | Jul 14 – Aug 11 |
| Portland, OR (8b) | Feb 25 | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Jul 28 – Aug 25 |
| Sacramento, CA (9b) | Jan 12 | Nov 17 – Dec 1 | Dec 15–29 | Aug 12 – Sep 9 |
| Phoenix, AZ (10a) | Jan 5 | Nov 10–24 | Dec 8–22 | Aug 30 – Sep 27 |
| Salt Lake City, UT (7b) | Mar 31 | Feb 3–17 | Mar 3–17 | Jul 5 – Aug 2 |
| Denver, CO (6a) | Apr 30 | Mar 5–19 | Apr 2–16 | Jun 8 – Jul 6 |
| Dallas, TX (8b) | Mar 2 | Jan 5–19 | Feb 2–16 | Jul 26 – Aug 23 |
| Minneapolis, MN (5a) | Apr 23 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Jun 12 – Jul 10 |
| Kansas City, MO (6b) | Apr 4 | Feb 7–21 | Mar 7–21 | Jun 29 – Jul 27 |
| Chicago, IL (6b) | Apr 10 | Feb 13–27 | Mar 13–27 | Jul 2–30 |
| Columbus, OH (6b) | Apr 20 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Jun 20 – Jul 18 |
| Nashville, TN (7b) | Apr 1 | Feb 4–18 | Mar 4–18 | Jun 27 – Jul 25 |
| Atlanta, GA (8a) | Mar 24 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Jul 5 – Aug 2 |
| Raleigh, NC (8a) | Mar 28 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Jul 5 – Aug 2 |
| Philadelphia, PA (7b) | Mar 30 | Feb 2–16 | Mar 2–16 | Jul 14 – Aug 11 |
| Boston, MA (7a) | Apr 4 | Feb 7–21 | Mar 7–21 | Jul 6 – Aug 3 |
In frost-free parts of Florida, southern California and the Gulf Coast, timing is about heat instead: grow Brussels sprouts from fall through winter.
Brussels sprouts spacing
In a square-foot bed, plant 1 per square foot. In traditional rows, space plants about 24 inches apart with 30 inches between rows.
A long season crop that tastes best after a few fall frosts.
How to grow Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a long-season crop that tastes best after a few fall frosts. Most gardeners grow them for a fall harvest, setting plants out by early summer and picking sprouts from October into winter. They need patience and room for a tall plant.
Sun and soil
Full sun and fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter, pH about 6.0–7.0. Water deeply and evenly, about 1–2 inches a week; moisture swings make sprouts loose or bitter.
Planting
- Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before transplanting, ¼–½ inch deep.
- For the best fall crop, transplant 14–18 weeks before your first fall frost, typically early summer. A spring planting 2–4 weeks before the last frost also works where summers stay mild.
- Space plants 24 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart; soil should be at least 45°F.
- Firm soil well around the roots, and stake plants in windy spots; they get tall and top-heavy.
Care
- Side-dress with nitrogen about 4 and 8 weeks after transplanting, then stop once sprouts start to form.
- Mulch with straw to keep soil cool and moist during summer heat.
- About 3–4 weeks before you want to harvest, pinch out the growing tip; the sprouts then size up more evenly.
- Snap off yellowing lower leaves as the sprouts below them develop.
Harvest
Harvest sprouts from the bottom of the stalk upward when they are firm and about 1 inch across. Twist them off or cut them. Flavor improves after light frosts, and plants handle hard frost, so you can keep picking well into late fall.
Common problems
- Aphids: They hide between and inside sprouts. Spray with water or insecticidal soap early, before sprouts form, and check the undersides of leaves.
- Cabbageworms and loopers: Use row cover after transplanting and Bt for caterpillars.
- Loose, open sprouts: Sprouts that mature in hot weather or after heavy nitrogen stay loose. Time planting so sprouts form in cool fall weather.
Varieties to try
- 'Long Island Improved' — standard heirloom, compact plant
- 'Jade Cross' — hybrid, uniform sprouts
- 'Diablo' — vigorous late hybrid, heavy yields
Crop rotation
Brussels sprouts belong to the cabbage family (Brassicaceae). Clubroot and cabbage pests build up in the soil. Rotate for at least 3 years. Relatives that count as the same family for rotation: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, radish, turnip, arugula, bok choy, kohlrabi.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant Brussels sprouts?
What grows well with Brussels sprouts?
What should not be planted with Brussels sprouts?
How far apart should I plant Brussels sprouts?
How long do Brussels sprouts take to grow?
Can Brussels sprouts handle frost?
Sources
- Frost dates: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
- Hardiness zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, USDA-ARS and PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University.
- Planting windows and spacing: Vegetable Planting Guide (GardenNotes #720), Colorado State University Extension, and other land-grant extension guides.
- Gardening with Companion Plants (EM128E), Linda Chalker-Scott, Washington State University Extension, 2023
- Brassica flea beetles, UMass Amherst Vegetable Program
- Trap Cropping, Washington State University Extension Master Gardener Program
- Trap cropping: a review of the state of the art, Sarkar et al., 2018 (open-access review)
- Brussels Sprouts in the Garden — Utah State University Extension