When to plant Brussels Sprouts
A tall, long-season brassica that forms its sprouts up a single thick stalk. Timed for fall, it's at its best after a frost or two, which sweetens the sprouts. Topping the plant in late summer can push the sprouts to size up evenly.
Companions: Onion, beets, herbs — avoid strawberries
How to grow Brussels Sprouts
Brussels Sprouts is usually started indoors and transplanted out, giving this hardy crop the head start it needs. Give it full sun and space plants about 24 inches apart. It takes roughly 100 days from planting to its first harvest, so count that against your frost dates to be sure it can finish. Classic companions include onion, beets, herbs — avoid strawberries.
Grower's tip: A long-season crop best for fall — the sprouts sweeten after a frost or two.
When to plant Brussels Sprouts by USDA zone
Timing shifts with your climate — the same brussels sprouts goes in weeks earlier in a mild zone than a cold one. Find your zone below for its planting window, or open that zone's full calendar.
| Zone | When to plant |
|---|---|
| Zone 1a | Start seeds indoors May 4–May 18 Transplant outdoors Jun 8–Jun 22 |
| Zone 1b | Start seeds indoors Apr 29–May 13 Transplant outdoors Jun 3–Jun 17 |
| Zone 2a | Start seeds indoors Apr 24–May 8 Transplant outdoors May 29–Jun 12 |
| Zone 2b | Start seeds indoors Apr 18–May 2 Transplant outdoors May 23–Jun 6 |
| Zone 3a | Start seeds indoors Apr 13–Apr 27 Transplant outdoors May 18–Jun 1 |
| Zone 3b | Start seeds indoors Apr 8–Apr 22 Transplant outdoors May 13–May 27 |
| Zone 4a | Start seeds indoors Apr 3–Apr 17 Transplant outdoors May 8–May 22 |
| Zone 4b | Start seeds indoors Mar 29–Apr 12 Transplant outdoors May 3–May 17 |
| Zone 5a | Start seeds indoors Mar 24–Apr 7 Transplant outdoors Apr 28–May 12 |
| Zone 5b | Start seeds indoors Mar 19–Apr 2 Transplant outdoors Apr 23–May 7 |
| Zone 6a | Start seeds indoors Mar 10–Mar 24 Transplant outdoors Apr 14–Apr 28 |
| Zone 6b | Start seeds indoors Mar 4–Mar 18 Transplant outdoors Apr 8–Apr 22 |
| Zone 7a | Start seeds indoors Feb 24–Mar 10 Transplant outdoors Mar 31–Apr 14 |
| Zone 7b | Start seeds indoors Feb 18–Mar 4 Transplant outdoors Mar 25–Apr 8 |
| Zone 8a | Start seeds indoors Feb 8–Feb 22 Transplant outdoors Mar 15–Mar 29 |
| Zone 8b | Start seeds indoors Feb 1–Feb 15 Transplant outdoors Mar 8–Mar 22 |
| Zone 9a | Start seeds indoors Jan 17–Jan 31 Transplant outdoors Feb 21–Mar 7 |
| Zone 9b | Start seeds indoors Jan 4–Jan 18 Transplant outdoors Feb 8–Feb 22 |
| Zone 10a | Start seeds indoors Dec 20–Jan 3 Transplant outdoors Jan 24–Feb 7 |
| Zone 10b | Start seeds indoors Dec 4–Dec 18 Transplant outdoors Jan 8–Jan 22 |
| Zone 11a | Start seeds indoors Nov 20–Dec 4 Transplant outdoors Dec 25–Jan 8 |
| Zone 11b | Start seeds indoors Nov 20–Dec 4 Transplant outdoors Dec 25–Jan 8 |
| Zone 12a | Start seeds indoors Nov 20–Dec 4 Transplant outdoors Dec 25–Jan 8 |
| Zone 12b | Start seeds indoors Nov 20–Dec 4 Transplant outdoors Dec 25–Jan 8 |
| Zone 13a | Start seeds indoors Nov 20–Dec 4 Transplant outdoors Dec 25–Jan 8 |
| Zone 13b | Start seeds indoors Nov 20–Dec 4 Transplant outdoors Dec 25–Jan 8 |