Dave,
Great thanks! Do you suggest transplanting for both cabbage and broccoli?

In my location, yes as the soil is way too hot for good germination of them. In your location direct seeding 'might' work but using transplants is safer.

I had no problems direct sowing broccoli last year in the garden, in the heat of summer. But at least in my garden, there is far less sun in the Fall, and it is difficult to grow things that need good sun, and DTM is much longer than listed. I would suggest a heat resistant variety as well that is suitable for Fall harvest.

I start cauliflower and cabbage about June 20th. Broccoli can be planted June 20th to July 4th. I am talking about starting in 3 inch plastic containers and transplanting out later.

Here in Michigan you can do both (indoors and outdoors) at this time. Cabbage maturities vary from 60 to 110 days, so plan accordingly. In midsummer, only planting indoors is possible as the soil is too warm.

When do you guys start Brussels Sprouts? I think now is the time. Hopefully that groundhog doesn't get through my new and improved fence to feast on my Fall brassicas as well. I will try some Fall broccoli again this year too. I guess I just don't learn my lesson :)

I start Brussels Sprouts at the same time as all the other fall crops - mid-July. Don't harvest them until after a couple of frosts anyway. Depends on variety and DTM of course just as with all the others.

I usually start 2 different rounds of Broccoli to stagger harvest. First seeding is on July 4 and the second one is 2-3 weeks later. I plant out when the seedlings are 4-5 weeks old. For Brussels sprouts I start around June 20 and plant out at 5 weeks.

I'll start Brussels sprouts this week, first cabbage and broccoli around June 20.

I am definitely not waiting until July to start my Brussels Sprouts, I am certain in my garden that would mean no sprouts for me, with a 90-100 DTM post August transplanting. The Johnny's seed packet says to start in May.. I will start this weekend maybe. Not really sure I will get any sprouts no matter what I do, my garden doesn't get much sun in October-November, but I'm giving it a shot.

<with a 90-100 DTM >

Like I said, it depends on the variety used as to when to start them. There are several varieties with a 70-80 DTM and some with as low as a 60 DTM. Since frost exposure is needed before harvesting anyway and they are very frost tolerant longer DTM doesn't usually pose a problem. Harvesting well into December is common here.

Dave

Yes but surviving frost/freeze, and growing to maturity in the winter, are two different things. I understand that works well in your garden, but I do not see myself having success if I plan on the DTM extending into November. There just isn't enough sun, and the cold temperatures inhibit growth (and honestly I would seriously raise an eyebrow to any DTM on Brussels Sprouts listed as 60 days.) My local cooperative extension also recommends starting in late May... http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scene2520.html#growinginfo

I agree, you should start now. Guys farther south can start later.

Everybody's right, and I think it has to do with how long the warmth lasts. When I was in Zone 7 things kept growing through Sept, but farther north growth stops except for greens around mid month. If the big brassicas don't get plenty of heat in Aug and Sept, they just don't do well.

In this forum there was a discussion on B sprouts varieties, with the bottom line being this is a situation where only the strongest hybrids will do. Check.

I plant in May here but I'm in zone 5A and have had frost the beginning of September. A good early cabbage that I like is Early Winnigstadt Cabbage. It's an Heirloom variety.