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When to Plant Brussels Sprouts in St. Clair County, IL

Brussels sprouts are a cold-hardy brassica that produces miniature cabbage-like heads along a tall stalk. Flavor improves after a light frost.

St. Clair County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 214 days.

At an elevation of 711 feet, St. Clair County receives approximately 34.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Brussels Sprouts during the growing season.

St. Clair County, IL (Zone 6b) Long season
214 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
214 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

St. Clair County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 756 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Brussels Sprouts needs ~1,842 GDD — county provides 3,584 GDD Excellent fit

Brussels Sprouts Planting Timeline โ€” St. Clair County, IL

Brussels Sprouts Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Direct Sow March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 9
Fall Sowing August 24 Aug 24 โ€“ Sep 7
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Aug 27

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“130 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

214 days

Growing Tips for St. Clair County

Start seeds indoors 12-14 weeks before first fall frost. Stake tall plants to prevent toppling. Remove lower leaves as sprouts develop to improve air circulation.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Strawberries

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Brussels Sprouts in St. Clair County, IL?

St. Clair County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Brussels Sprouts planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is St. Clair County, IL?

St. Clair County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is November 2.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help St. Clair County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for St. Clair County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.