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When to Plant Brussels Sprouts in Logan County, NE

Logan County, Nebraska Zone 5b May

May to-do list for Logan County, Nebraska

Your Logan County, Nebraska garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost May 13
Avg. first frost October 2
Soil temp (4") 54°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Transplant brussels sprouts outside

    Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • Starting indoors: 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.

Logan County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.

At an elevation of 854 feet, Logan County receives approximately 30.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Brussels Sprouts to ensure they mature before fall.

Logan County, NE (Zone 5b) Short season
142 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
142 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2
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Logan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 1
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Oct 7
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 21 – Oct 16

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 Logan County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.2) is within Brussels Sprouts's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). 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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.9" 3.4" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.9" 2.1" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Jul 3.9" 2.6" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.9" 3.7" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.9" 2.5" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.9" 2.6" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Logan 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 ~1,265 GDD — county provides 1,633 GDD Good fit

Brussels Sprouts Planting Timeline — Logan County, NE

Brussels Sprouts Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 22
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 – May 27
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 – May 20
Harvest August 12 Aug 12 – Oct 7
Fall Sowing July 24 Jul 24 – Aug 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–130 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

142 days in Logan County

Growing Tips for Brussels Sprouts in Logan County

Direct sow Brussels Sprouts outdoors after May 13 in Logan County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 142.0-day growing season in Logan 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 Logan County, NE?

Logan County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Brussels Sprouts planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Logan County, NE?

Logan County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is October 2.

🌱

Your Logan County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Logan County (Zone 5b). 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 Logan County, NE. 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.