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When to Plant Brussels Sprouts in Coconino County, AZ

Coconino County, Arizona Zone 7a May

May in the garden — Coconino County, Arizona

Each item below is timed to Coconino County, Arizona's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost May 28
Avg. first frost September 27
Soil temp (4") 37°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Time to transplant brussels sprouts

    Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.

  2. Seed brussels sprouts outdoors

    Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.

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

Coconino County, Arizona is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 28 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 122 days.

At an elevation of 7,869 feet, Coconino County receives approximately 13.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Brussels Sprouts may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Brussels Sprouts will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Brussels Sprouts successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Coconino County, AZ (Zone 7a) Short season
122 days
Last Spring Frost May 28
122 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27

Coconino County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 23 Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Oct 22
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 20 Transplant: Jun 24 🍅 Harvest: Sep 23 – Nov 18

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.

Soil Compatibility in Coconino County

How your county's soil matches Brussels Sprouts's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.2–8.6) is more alkaline than Brussels Sprouts prefers (6.0–7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Coconino County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Brussels Sprouts will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Brussels Sprouts.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Brussels Sprouts.

How to Plant Brussels Sprouts

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 901 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts needs approximately 0.9 inches of water per week (3.9" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Brussels Sprouts Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 0.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.9" 0.3" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 3.9" 0.4" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.9" 2.6" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.9" 3" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.9" 1.7" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Coconino County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Brussels Sprouts Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Brussels Sprouts needs ~2,420 GDD — county provides 2,684 GDD Good fit

Brussels Sprouts Planting Timeline — Coconino County, AZ

Brussels Sprouts Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 23 Apr 23 – May 7
Transplant Outdoors May 28 May 28 – Jun 11
Direct Sow May 14 May 14 – Jun 4
Harvest August 27 Aug 27 – Oct 22
Fall Sowing July 19 Jul 19 – Aug 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

90–130 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

122 days in Coconino County

Growing Tips for Brussels Sprouts in Coconino County

Direct sow Brussels Sprouts outdoors after May 28 in Coconino County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Coconino County dries quickly — mulch Brussels Sprouts with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Summer highs in Coconino County reach 96°F — grow Brussels Sprouts as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Your 122.0-day growing season in Coconino County is tight for Brussels Sprouts (90.0-130.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Common pests for Brussels Sprouts in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Brussels Sprouts in Coconino County, AZ?

Coconino County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 28. Plan your Brussels Sprouts planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coconino County, AZ?

Coconino County, Arizona is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 28 and first fall frost is September 27.

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Your Coconino County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Coconino County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Coconino County, AZ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.