Cool-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Brussels Sprouts

Cool-weather crop producing tight, cabbage-like buds along a tall stalk. Flavor improves dramatically after frost.

Sun

Full sun (6+ hours)

Water

1-1.5 inches per week

Days to Harvest

100-130

Difficulty

intermediate

Spacing

24"

Frost Tolerance

high

The Short Answer

Brussels Sprouts are cold-tolerant and actually prefer cooler growing conditions. Or start seeds indoors 16 weeks before your last frost for an even earlier harvest. Enter your zip code on our homepage tool for exact dates.

How to Grow Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are the opposite of instant gratification — they need 100+ days from transplant to harvest, and they taste best after frost. Start seeds indoors in early summer for a fall harvest. The sprouts develop from the bottom of the stalk upward. As lower sprouts reach marble size, remove the leaf below each one to direct the plant's energy into the sprouts. Four to six weeks before harvest, pinch the growing tip of the stalk to push energy into the developing sprouts rather than into new leaf growth. Frost-sweetened Brussels sprouts are worth every day of waiting.

Starting Seeds Indoors

Begin brussels sprouts seeds indoors 16 weeks before your average last frost date. Seeds need soil temperatures of at least 45°F to germinate, which typically takes 5-10 days. Provide 12 hours of light per day using a south-facing window or grow lights.

Transplanting

Move seedlings outside 4 weeks before your last frost date, once soil temperatures reach 45°F. Harden off seedlings for 7 days before transplanting by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.

Fall Planting

Brussels Sprouts are planted in fall, 16 weeks before your average first frost date. Plant 0.5" deep, 24" apart.

Growing Tips

Start indoors in summer for fall harvest. Remove lower leaves as sprouts develop. Frost-kissed sprouts are noticeably sweeter than those harvested before frost.

Companion Planting

Good companions:

Beets Carrots Onions

Keep away from:

Strawberries Tomatoes

Brussels Sprouts Planting Dates by State

Click your state for brussels sprouts planting dates specific to your location:

Note: Planting dates are based on average frost dates from NOAA Climate Normals (30-year averages). Actual conditions vary year to year. Always check your local forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026