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When to plant Brussels Sprouts in Clinton County County,

For Brussels Sprouts in Clinton County County, the safe spring window opens around April 16 and closes around May 7. Last expected frost is April 30, first fall frost October 13, giving a 166-day growing season. A second sowing from August 4 to August 18 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Brussels Sprouts in Clinton County, MI

Brussels Sprouts
Clinton County, Michigan Zone 6a June

June in Clinton County, Michigan — your action list

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Clinton County, Michigan this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 30
Avg. first frost October 13
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.2 hrs
  1. Get brussels sprouts seeds going inside

    Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: brussels sprouts

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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.

Clinton County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 519 feet, Clinton County receives approximately 34.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Brussels Sprouts to ensure they mature before fall.

Clinton County, MI (Zone 6a) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Clinton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Brussels Sprouts Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Oct 14

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 Clinton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–6.7) overlaps with Brussels Sprouts's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Clinton County is excellent for Brussels Sprouts — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Brussels Sprouts.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Brussels Sprouts will thrive.

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.

Brussels Sprouts Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 545 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 2.9" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 3.9" 3.8" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.9" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 3.7" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 3" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.9" 2.7" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Clinton 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 ~1,430 GDD — county provides 2,158 GDD Excellent fit

Brussels Sprouts Planting Timeline — Clinton County, MI

Brussels Sprouts Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 9
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 – May 14
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 – May 7
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 – Sep 24
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 – Aug 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

90–130 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

166 days in Clinton County

Growing Tips for Brussels Sprouts in Clinton County

Direct sow Brussels Sprouts outdoors after April 30 in Clinton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Clinton County, MI?

Clinton County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Brussels Sprouts planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clinton County, MI?

Clinton County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 13.

When should I plant Brussels Sprouts in Clinton County County, ?

In Clinton County County, , plant Brussels Sprouts after the last frost (around April 30) and before the first frost (around October 13). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Clinton County County, for Brussels Sprouts?

Clinton County County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Brussels Sprouts grows reliably in zones 2a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Brussels Sprouts grow in Clinton County County's climate?

Yes — Brussels Sprouts grows well in Clinton County County's temperate climate. Clinton County County averages a 166-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 30 and first frost around October 13.

🌱

Your Clinton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Clinton County (Zone 6a). 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 Clinton County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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