Brussels sprouts planting calendar for USDA Zone 6b

Boone NC, northern VA, central KY, southern IN. Average last spring frost April 24, first fall frost October 8 — a 167-day frost-free season.

Zone fit: challenging

Brussels sprouts needs a long season and this zone averages just 167 frost-free days. Start early, use black plastic, and plan for row cover on shoulder-season frosts.

Key dates

Start seeds indoors

March 6 – March 20

Transplant outdoors

April 3 – April 24

Expected first harvest

July 19 – August 16

Fall planting window

May 28 – June 18

Fall harvest window

September 12 – October 10

Windows are calculated from your zone's average frost dates. Adjust ±1 week for microclimates, elevation, and your own frost records.

Spacing and soil

Plant spacing: 24″
Row spacing: 36″
Seed depth: 0.25″
Soil temperature: 55–75°F
Frost tolerance: hardy
Days to harvest: 100 days

Grower notes for Zone 6b

Fall-only crop in the Southeast. Top the plant 4 weeks before target harvest for uniform sprouts up the stem.

Plant near: onions, dill

Keep away from: strawberries

Other brassicas for Zone 6b

Same crop, other zones

Track your own plantings

BAU Farm Intelligence turns these windows into per-field tasks — indoor seed-start reminders, transplant dates, harvest projections — using your farm's actual frost history.

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