Q: Can Brussels sprouts plants survive a Georgia summer?

A: They can’t even survive June, much less an entire summer! I suppose they have a good chance for summer survival in extreme north Georgia, but nowhere in Atlanta and southward. Brussels sprouts take 80 – 90 days to mature the edible “heads” along the stem. If you plant them in late March, the heat of mid-May stops growth before the sprouts get large enough to eat. A better time to plant seedlings is early September. They will need regular watering but will usually survive until October, when warm soil and cooler nights put growth into high gear. You’ll have plenty of Brussels sprouts to enjoy for Thanksgiving.