When To Plant Brussel Sprouts In Texas

If you’re planning a Texas garden, knowing when to plant brussel sprouts is the most important step for a successful harvest. This cool-season crop needs perfect timing to beat our intense heat, so let’s get your planting schedule right.

Brussel sprouts are a long-maturing vegetable, often taking 90 to 110 days from transplant to harvest. In Texas, our variable climate means you must work backwards from our ideal harvest window. The goal is to have sprouts maturing in the cool, even frosty, weather of late fall or early winter. This cold sweetens their flavor.

For most of Texas, there are two primary planting windows: a late summer planting for a fall harvest and a very early spring planting for a late spring harvest. The fall planting is by far the most reliable and recommened for beginners.

Fall Planting (The Best Bet)

This is the preferred method. You’ll start seeds indoors or purchase transplants to get a head start.

North Texas: Start seeds indoors in mid-June to early July. Transplant seedlings into the garden in late July to mid-August.
Central Texas: Start seeds indoors in early to mid-July. Transplant in late July through August.
South Texas: Start seeds indoors in late July to early August. Transplant in late August to early September.

The key is to get transplants in the ground so they can grow through the tail end of summer and mature as temperatures fall. They’ll taste best after a light frost or two.

Spring Planting (A Tricky Second Option)

Spring planting is a race against the coming summer heat. It’s challenging but possible in cooler parts of the state.

North & Central Texas: You must start seeds indoors very early, around late December to January. Transplant hardened-off seedlings into the garden as soon as the soil is workable in February. The goal is harvest before late May heat ruins the crop.
South Texas: Spring planting is generally not recommended due to an early, rapid warm-up.

Understanding Your Texas Growing Zone

Texas spans USDA hardiness zones 6b to 9b. Check your specific zone online for the most accurate timing.

Zones 6b-7 (Panhandle, North): You have a shorter fall window. Stick to the early side of the fall transplant range.
Zones 8a-8b (Central, Standard): This is prime brussel sprout territory in Texas. Follow the standard fall schedule closely.
Zone 9a-9b (South, Gulf Coast): You have a later fall window. Focus on heat-tolerant varieties and provide ample afternoon shade during establishment.

Step-by-Step: From Seed to Harvest

Follow these steps for a structured approach to growing brussel sprouts in Texas.

1. Choosing the Right Variety

Selecting a heat-tolerant and well-suited variety is half the battle. Look for these proven performers:

‘Jade Cross’ E: A hybrid that’s disease-resistant and handles stress well.
‘Long Island Improved’: An heirloom known for its reliability and flavor after frost.
‘Churchill’: A faster-maturing variety (about 90 days), good for squeezing in before heat.
‘Diablo’: Known for its high yield and uniform sprouts.

2. Starting Seeds Indoors

Because of our long growing season requirement, direct sowing in Texas is rarely successful. Start indoors.

Fill seed trays with a sterile seed-starting mix about 10-12 weeks before your target transplant date.
Plant seeds ¼ inch deep. Keep the soil consistently moist and warm (70-75°F) for germination.
Once sprouted, provide plenty of light—a sunny south window or grow lights for 14-16 hours a day.
When seedlings have a few true leaves, thin or transplant them into larger pots.

3. Preparing the Garden Bed

Brussel sprouts are heavy feeders. Prepare your soil at least two weeks before transplanting.

Location: Choose a site with full sun (at least 6 hours). In South Texas, a site with afternoon shade can help.
Soil: They need rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Amend with 3-4 inches of compost or well-rotted manure.
Fertilizer: Mix in a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer according to package directions.

4. Transplanting Seedlings

This is a critical step. Harden off your seedlings for 7-10 days first.

Transplant on a cloudy afternoon or in the evening to reduce shock.
Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart. They get large.
Plant them slightly deeper than they were in their pots, firming soil gently around the stem.
Water deeply immediately after planting.

5. Care Through the Season

Consistent care is what leads to tight, flavorful sprouts.

Watering: Provide 1-1.5 inches of water per week. Drip irrigation is best to keep leaves dry and prevent disease. Mulch heavily to conserve moisture and cool the soil.
Fertilizing: Side-dress with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer (like blood meal or a balanced organic blend) 4 and 8 weeks after transplanting.
Pest Control: Watch for cabbage loopers, aphids, and cabbage worms. Use floating row covers early on, or apply BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) as an organic control.
Topping: About 3 weeks before you want to harvest, pinch off the top growing tip of the plant. This tells the plant to stop putting energy into leaf growth and focus on plumping up the existing sprouts.

6. Harvesting Your Sprouts

Harvest begins from the bottom of the stalk upward.

Wait until the lower sprouts are firm, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
Twist or snap them off the stalk carefully. You can also use a sharp knife.
Continue harvesting upward as the sprouts mature. A light frost (or even a freeze) will improve their flavor dramatically.
For a single harvest, you can cut the entire stalk at the base once most sprouts are mature.

Common Texas Growing Challenges & Solutions

Every gardener faces problems. Here’s how to tackle common Texas-specific issues.

Bolting (Premature Flowering)

If your plant sends up a flower stalk early, the sprouts will be bitter and useless. Bolting is caused by stress, usually from temperatures that are to warm or fluctuating wildly. The solution is strict adherence to planting dates and keeping plants consistently watered and mulched.

Loose, Poorly Formed Sprouts

This is often due to inadequate nutrients, inconsistent watering, or heat stress. Ensure your soil is rich from the start, maintain even moisture, and use shade cloth if a late heatwave hits during formation.

Pest Pressure

Cabbage family pests are prolific in Texas. Row covers are your first line of defense. Inspect the undersides of leaves regularly. For worms, BT is a safe and effective organic spray. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs to handle aphids.

FAQ: Growing Brussel Sprouts in Texas

Can I grow brussel sprouts in containers in Texas?

Yes, you can. Choose a large container (at least 5 gallons) with excellent drainage. Use a high-quality potting mix and water more frequently, as containers dry out faster. A dwarf variety is best for this.

What if I missed the fall planting window?

You can try purchasing established transplants from a local nursery in early fall. Otherwise, it’s better to wait for next season than to plant too late. They won’t form good sprouts in warming weather.

Do brussel sprouts need full sun in Texas?

They prefer full sun, but in the hotter regions of Texas (Zones 8b-9), providing afternoon shade can prevent heat stress and help the plants establish better in late summer.

How do I prepare my brussel sprout plants for a freeze?

Established brussel sprout plants are very cold-hardy and can survive temps into the 20s. In fact, frost improves flavor. No special preparation is needed for a typical Texas winter freeze. If a hard freeze below 20°F is forecast, you can cover them with frost cloth for extra protection.

Why are my brussel sprout leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing lower leaves can be normal as the plant matures. However, widespread yellowing often indicates a nitrogen deficiency, overwatering, or poor drainage. Feed with a nitrogen source and check your soil moisture.

Growing brussel sprouts in Texas requires attention to the calender and a commitment to consistent care. By planting at the correct time—primarily in late summer for a fall harvest—you set yourself up for success. Choose the right variety, prepare your soil thoroughly, and manage water and pests diligently. Your reward will be a homegrown harvest of sweet, tender sprouts that far surpass anything from the grocery store, all harvested from your own backyard during the cooler months.