Growing Brussels sprouts

Brassica sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
        T              
        P              

(Best months for growing Brussels sprouts in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 45°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 18 - 24 inches apart
  • Harvest in 14-28 weeks. Pick sprouts when small. .
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile)
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chili, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard

Your comments and tips

01 May 20, Karen (USA - Zone 6b climate)
I bought a six pack of small brussels sprout plants in my area, zone 6B in April. That’s when they were available. Can they be reasonably be planted now?
09 May 20, Kimberly Borzillo (USA - Zone 7b climate)
yes brassica family likes cooler weather...
04 May 19, Tina (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I planted my brussel sprout in early October I trimmed back all the lower leaves and I'm barely starting to get fruit now it's the first weekend in May and I'm getting little fruit about the size of a pencil eraser does it normally take this long?
28 May 23, Nicole (USA - Zone 9b climate)
We planted ours in September. Our plants got huge by February but the actual sprouts remained tiny...and spicy! We discovered how delicious the leaves are so now we grow brussel sprouts for the leaves, rather than the brussels themselves :)
30 Jan 19, Pab (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Cani grow brussel sprouts in the spring and summer
20 Nov 18, ed mccoskey (USA - Zone 6a climate)
what is the best variaty to grow in zone 6a
16 Aug 17, Lisa McCartney (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Trying to understand when to plant my brussels sprout seeds in Zona 10a. It says about P = sow seeds in Oct. Is that meaning to sow seeds directly in my garden? Because after that is says to start seeds in trays and plant out 4 - 6 weeks. Should I start them in seed trays and if so do I plant now so they can be transplanted in my garden in Oct or do I wait until Oct and just plant the seeds directly in my garden? Sorry the info is confusing.
17 Aug 17, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Use seed trays to start your brussels sprouts, plant out as it suggests on the web page. Brussels Sprouts prefer cold/cool climate, so you need to grow them in your cooler months. October is a suggestion, November might work better if your weather is still warm in October.
13 Jun 16, Kathy (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Hi! When it says "S" it means start seeds inside, when it says "T" it means to transplant those seedlings outside in the garden. When it says "P" for plant outside does that mean you plant the seeds outside? I'm unsure because, take Brussels Sprouts for example - It says "S" in March and "P" in May and June; what is the "P" referring to? I'm just confused because some vegetables have an "S" and a "T". Thanks for any help you can give me!!! "Plant in garden" means to sow seed directly into the garden where you want the plant to grow.
21 Feb 16, Jaci Wilkins (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Please tell me whereI can purchase dwarf Brussels Sprout plants in Idaho. If not available, where can I purchase seeds. Thank you, Jaci wilkins
Showing 31 - 40 of 43 comments

Trying to understand when to plant my brussels sprout seeds in Zona 10a. It says about P = sow seeds in Oct. Is that meaning to sow seeds directly in my garden? Because after that is says to start seeds in trays and plant out 4 - 6 weeks. Should I start them in seed trays and if so do I plant now so they can be transplanted in my garden in Oct or do I wait until Oct and just plant the seeds directly in my garden? Sorry the info is confusing.

- Lisa McCartney

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.