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When to Plant Brussels Sprouts in Lincoln County, ME

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

Lincoln County, Maine is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 815 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Brussels Sprouts during the growing season.

Lincoln County, ME (Zone 5b) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Sep 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 11 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 10

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Brussels Sprouts needs ~1,678 GDD — county provides 2,424 GDD Excellent fit

Brussels Sprouts Planting Timeline โ€” Lincoln County, ME

Brussels Sprouts Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 10
Fall Sowing July 31 Jul 31 โ€“ Aug 14
Harvest August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Sep 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

159 days

Growing Tips for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, ME?

Lincoln County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Brussels Sprouts planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, ME?

Lincoln County, Maine is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lincoln County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Lincoln County, ME. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.