When to Plant Brussels Sprouts in Zone 7: Timing, Growth, and Harvest - Zone 7 Gardener (2024)

Many gardeners find Brussels sprouts to be a rewarding addition to their vegetable gardens. Not only are these leafy green vegetables extremely nutritious, but they also add an aesthetically pleasing element to any garden space.

For those living in USDA Zone 7, understanding the right time to plant Brussels sprouts is crucial for a successful harvest. This veggie takes a long time to mature compared to lots of other vegetable garden plants, so scheduling it is a big deal.

In this blog post, I’ll get into the specific timing and considerations for planting Brussels sprouts in Zone 7 for spring and fall planting times, so that your garden can thrive with this delicious and healthy vegetable.

Quick Guide for Beginners: If you’re new to gardening, here’s a simple breakdown:

• Best Planting Time: Aim for mid-July for fall planting and mid-April for spring planting in Zone 7a. Adjust slightly earlier for Zone 7b.
• Starting Seeds: Begin indoors 6-8 weeks before these dates.
• Harvesting: Expect to harvest in late fall or early winter for fall-planted crops, and in fall for spring-planted crops.
• General Tip: Brussels sprouts love cool weather and need time to mature; start planning early!

Understanding USDA Zone 7

USDA Zone 7, characterized by its mild winters and warm summers, reaches across a diverse range of environments. Spanning parts of the United States from coast to coast, this zone experiences average minimum temperatures of 0 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. For gardeners, this means a longer growing season compared to colder zones and the opportunity to cultivate a wide variety of plants, including Brussels sprouts.

In Zone 7, the frost-free growing season typically starts in early spring and extends into late fall, offering a substantial window for planting and harvesting. The moderate climate in this zone provides an ideal environment for Brussels sprouts, which thrive in cooler temperatures but also need enough time to mature before the heat of summer or the chill of winter sets in.

Impact of Climate Change on Growing Seasons

As climate change leads to unpredictable weather patterns, the traditional planting and harvesting times for Brussels sprouts in Zone 7 may shift. Gardeners might experience earlier springs or later falls, affecting when to plant and harvest. Staying informed about local climate trends is essential. Adapt by starting seeds indoors earlier or using protective covers to extend the growing season in the face of early frosts.

The Importance of Timing in Planting Brussels Sprouts

Understanding the timing for planting Brussels sprouts is crucial for several reasons:

• Temperature Sensitivity: Brussels sprouts thrive in cooler temperatures. Planting them at the right time helps make sure they mature during optimal weather conditions, avoiding the heat of summer or the deep freeze of winter.
• Growth Cycle: Brussels sprouts have a long growing season, typically needing 80-100 days to mature. Timing affects not just when they are planted, but also when they are ready for you to harvest.
• Pest and Disease Management: Planting at the correct time can help avoid peak seasons for certain pests and diseases, leading to healthier plants and a better yield.
• Quality and Taste: The flavor of Brussels sprouts improves after exposure to light frost. Timing your brussels sprout planting to allow for maturation during the first frosts of fall can enhance their taste.

Best Time to Plant Brussels Sprouts in Zone 7

Planting Brussels sprouts at the right time is crucial for a bountiful harvest, especially in USDA Zone 7, which includes both 7a and 7b sub-zones. The timing for planting can vary slightly between these sub-zones, so let’s explore the best practices for each.

Brussels sprouts have 2 different planting windows, in the spring and in the fall, with fall being the better season…if you had to pick one.

Spring Planting

Brussels sprouts can be planted in early spring in USDA Zone 7, but the timing of planting will depend on the sub-zone. Brussels sprouts are a cool-season crop, so they don’t tolerate hot weather well. If you plant them too late in the spring, they may not have time to mature before the summer heat arrives.

I recommend starting brussels sprouts seeds indoors for spring planting.

Brussels sprouts take a long time to mature (typically around 90-100+ days depending on the variety), so starting them indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date gives them enough time to mature before the summer heat gets too high.

When to Plant Brussels Sprouts in Zone 7a (Spring Planting)

The ideal time to plant brussels sprouts for spring planting in Zone 7a is mid-April, once the soil has warmed to at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit and the last frost has passed.

The best time to start seeds indoors for spring planting is about 4-6 weeks before the last frost, which can vary based on the variety. Below is a general guideline for most varieties of brussels sprouts, but I definitely recommend checking your seed packet for your seed’s grow time.

STARTING SEEDS INDOORS

When to Start Seeds Indoors:

• Optimal Seed Starting Date*: Late February to Early March
• Extended Seed Starting Time Frame: Early February to Mid-March

*6-8 weeks before the last frost

When to Transplant Outside:

• Ideal Transplant Date**: Mid-April to Early May
• Extended Transplanting Time Range: Early April to Late May

**After the last frost & when soil is 50 degrees

DIRECT SOWING

When to Direct Sow Outdoors:

• Recommended Sowing Period: Not recommended for spring in zone 7a.
• Extended Outdoor Sowing Period: Not applicable for spring in zone 7a

When to Plant Brussels Sprouts in Zone 7b (Spring Planting)

Spring planting of Brussels sprouts in Zone 7b should be timed to ensure that the plants have sufficient time to mature before the onset of summer heat. In Zone 7b, the last frost date is typically a bit earlier than in 7a, providing a slightly different planting window.

Spring planting in Zone 7b offers a shorter window than 7a, but it’s still possible to enjoy a harvest before the summer heat sets in. Aim for a slightly earlier start compared to 7a to ensure enough time for maturity. Here’s how to adjust your timeline:

STARTING SEEDS INDOORS

When to Start Seeds Indoors:

• Optimal Seed Starting Date*: Early to Mid-February
• Extended Seed Starting Time Frame: Early February to Early March

*6-8 weeks before the last frost

When to Transplant Outside:

• Ideal Transplant Date: Late March to Early April
• Transplanting Time Range: Mid-March to Mid-April

**After the last frost & when soil is 50 degrees

DIRECT SOWING (Not recommended, but possible):

• Recommended Sowing Date: Not ideal, but possible in late February/early March.
• Outdoor Sowing Period: Late February to Early March (monitor soil temperature, aim for at least 45°F).

Fall Planting

Brussels sprouts tend to do better for most gardeners when they are planted in the fall in USDA Zone 7. This is a good option for gardeners who want to extend their harvest season. Plus, brussels sprouts are frost tolerant in zone 7 and one of the plants known to improve their flavor after a light frost or two.

The goal for fall planting with brussels sprouts is to allow the plants to get established in cooler temperatures but before the first hard frost of winter. Fall-planted Brussels sprouts will then fully mature in the winter and can be harvested through the spring.

When to Plant Brussels Sprouts in Zone 7a (Fall Planting)

It’s called “fall planting”, but the ideal time to plant Brussels sprouts in Zone 7a is usually around mid-July so that it grows through the fall. For transplants, try and line up the “days to maturity” for your plant with your first frost date.

That means if you have a variety of brussels sprouts with 80 days to maturity, and your first frost date is October 12th, try to get your seedling in the ground around July 14th (October 12 – 90 = July 14).

It’s best to plant a seedling, or an established plant from a local nursery, but direct sowing is possible. If you are direct sowing brussels sprouts in your garden, add 20 days to that math above, though I definitely recommend transplanting a seedling or established plant.

Since the last frost date varies a bit across Zone 7a, I’ll give you the below dates as an example for a city where the first frost date is Mid-October, and the brussels sprouts variety has 90 days to maturity window.

STARTING SEEDS INDOORS

When to Start Seeds Indoors:

• Optimal Seed Starting Date: Early to Mid-June (4-6 weeks before planting outdoors)
• Extended Seed Starting Time Frame: Early June to Mid-July

When to Transplant Outside:

• Ideal Transplant Date: Mid to Late July
• Extended Transplanting Time Range: Mid-July to Mid-September

DIRECT SOWING

When to Direct Sow Outdoors:

• Recommended Sowing Date: Mid to late June.

When to Plant Brussels Sprouts in Zone 7b (Fall Planting)

Zone 7b’s first frost date comes a little later than Zone 7a, which gives you some more time to get your brussels sprouts started. You’ll use the same math as above…

Plan to plant a seedling, or an established plant from a local nursery, to line up the “days to maturity” with your first frost date.

That means if you have a variety of brussels sprouts with 90 days to maturity, and your first frost date is October 28th, try to get your seedling in the ground around July 30th (October 28 – 90 = July 30). If you are direct sowing brussels sprouts in your garden, add 20 days to that, though I definitely recommend transplanting a seedling or established plant.

Since the last frost date varies a bit across Zone 7b, I’ll give you the below dates as an example for a city where the first frost date is Late October, and the brussels sprouts variety has 90 days to maturity window.

STARTING SEEDS INDOORS

When to Start Seeds Indoors:

• Optimal Seed Starting Date: Early June to Mid-July (4-6 weeks before planting outdoors)
• Seed Starting Time Frame: Early June to Early August

When to Transplant Outside:

• Ideal Transplant Date: Mid-July to Early August
• Transplanting Time Range: Mid-July to Mid-September

DIRECT SOWING

When to Direct Sow Outdoors:

• Recommended Sowing Date: Late June to Early July

Seasonal Care Guide for Brussels Sprouts in Zone 7

January

• Planning: Choose varieties suitable for both spring and fall planting. Order seeds for both seasons.

February

• Indoor Seed Starting for Spring Crop: Start spring seeds indoors in late February. Brussels sprouts need about 4-6 weeks of growth before being transplanted outside. Maintain a cool, well-lit environment.

March

• Garden Preparation: Prepare your garden beds with compost or well-rotted manure.
• Hardening Off Spring Seedlings: Begin hardening off your spring seedlings in late March.

April

• Spring Transplanting: Transplant spring seedlings outdoors early in the month. Space them 18-24 inches apart.
• Watering & Mulching: Keep soil moist and mulch to conserve moisture.

May

• Pest Management: Monitor and manage pests. Use organic methods if possible.
• Fertilizing: Apply balanced fertilizer to spring crops.

June

• Continued Care for Spring Crop: This period is critical for watering and pest management. Brussels sprouts require consistent moisture. Keep an eye out for aphids and cabbage worms.
• Preparation for Fall Crop: Begin preparing a section of your garden for the fall crop.

July

• Watering & Monitoring Spring Crop: Continue to care for the spring crop.
• Start Fall Seeds Indoors: Start your fall seeds indoors in late July.

August

• Fall Seedling Care: Continue caring for fall seedlings indoors.
• Harvest Begins for Spring Crop: Start harvesting the spring crop as they mature.
• Prepare for Fall Transplanting: Get your garden ready for the fall crop.

September

• Transplant Fall Crop: Transplant your fall seedlings outdoors in early September.
• Continue Harvesting Spring Crop: Finish harvesting the spring crop.
• Water & Mulch Fall Crop: Establish a regular watering schedule and mulch the fall crop.

October

• Care for Fall Crop: Regular watering and pest monitoring for the fall crop.
• Fertilizing Fall Crop: Apply a light fertilizer if needed.

November

• Harvesting Fall Crop: Begin harvesting the fall crop as they mature.
• Garden Cleanup: Clean up spring crop residues to prevent disease.

December

• Continued Harvest of Fall Crop: Continue harvesting. Brussels sprouts can withstand frost and taste better after exposure.
• Planning for Next Year: Reflect on the year and plan for the next season’s planting.

When/How: Harvest and Store Brussels Sprouts

Harvesting Brussels sprouts at the right time is crucial for the best flavor and texture. Here’s when and how to do it:

• When to Harvest:
  • Spring-Planted Brussels Sprouts: Typically, ready to harvest in the fall, about 90-100 days after planting. They’re best when firm and green, about 1-1.5 inches in diameter.
  • Fall-Planted Brussels Sprouts: These are generally ready to harvest in late fall or early winter. Cooler temperatures can enhance their flavor. Check the sprouts regularly as they mature at different rates depending on the weather.
• How to Harvest: Harvest the sprouts from the bottom of the stalk upwards, as the lower sprouts mature first. Twist and snap them off the stalk or use a sharp knife.
• Storing Brussels Sprouts: After harvesting, Brussels sprouts can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks. For longer storage, blanch and freeze them.
• Continual Harvest: Leave the plant in the ground after the initial harvest. More sprouts may develop on the stalk, especially in the mild temperatures of Zone 7.
• End of Harvest Season: Brussels sprouts typically stop producing viable crops once the temperatures drop consistently below freezing or if a hard freeze (temperatures below 28°F for an extended period) occurs. They can survive light frosts and even temperatures dipping into the high 20s for short periods, but prolonged and more severe cold will eventually cause the plants to die off or the sprouts to become too tough and bitter.
  • Extended Harvest: In some cases, if the winter is milder, you might be able to extend the harvest period. Using row covers or other frost protection methods can help shield the plants from harsher temperatures, potentially allowing for harvesting into the winter months. Some Brussels sprout varieties are more cold-tolerant than others. Look for varieties specifically bred for fall planting or cold climates, such as ‘Long Island’, ‘Flanders’, or ‘Jade Cross’.

Conclusion

As I wrap up this overly long guide on planting and growing Brussels sprouts in USDA Zone 7, it’s clear that with the right timing, preparation, and care, these nutritious vegetables can be a successful and rewarding addition to your garden. Remember, the key to a thriving crop lies in understanding the specific needs of Brussels sprouts, from the right planting time to dealing with common gardening challenges. With patience and attention, you’ll be able to enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh, homegrown Brussels sprouts.

Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge to grow Brussels sprouts in Zone 7, why not share your gardening journey? I’d love to hear about your experiences, successes, and even challenges. Leave a comment below or share your story and photos with us on our social media platforms. If you find this guide helpful, consider subscribing to the email list for more gardening tips and tricks.