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When to Plant Brussels Sprouts in Reynolds County, MO

Reynolds County, Missouri Zone 6b May

Top priorities for Reynolds County, Missouri gardeners in May

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 10
Avg. first frost October 24
Soil temp (4") 62°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: brussels sprouts

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

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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.

Reynolds County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 634 feet, Reynolds County receives approximately 34.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Brussels Sprouts during the growing season.

Reynolds County, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24
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Reynolds County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 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 Reynolds County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.7) overlaps with Brussels Sprouts's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help 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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 296 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 3.5" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
May 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.9" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 3.5" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 3.1" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.9" 2.4" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Reynolds 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 ~2,008 GDD — county provides 3,595 GDD Excellent fit

Brussels Sprouts Planting Timeline — Reynolds County, MO

Brussels Sprouts Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 17
Harvest July 10 Jul 10 – Sep 4
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 – Aug 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

90–130 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

197 days in Reynolds County

Growing Tips for Brussels Sprouts in Reynolds County

Direct sow Brussels Sprouts outdoors after April 10 in Reynolds County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Summer highs in Reynolds County reach 91°F — grow Brussels Sprouts as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

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 Reynolds County, MO?

Reynolds County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Brussels Sprouts planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Reynolds County, MO?

Reynolds County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 24.

🌱

Your Reynolds County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Reynolds County (Zone 6b). 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 Reynolds County, MO. 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.