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When to Plant Broccoli Rabe in Clark County, KS

Broccoli rabe (rapini) is a brassica grown for its slightly bitter, nutty-flavored florets, leaves, and stems. It is a staple in Italian cooking.

Clark County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 867 feet, Clark County receives approximately 22.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli Rabe during the growing season.

Clark County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,624 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Broccoli Rabe needs ~950 GDD — county provides 3,591 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Rabe Planting Timeline โ€” Clark County, KS

Broccoli Rabe Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jul 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

189 days

Growing Tips for Clark County

Direct sow in spring or fall. Harvest when small yellow flower buds first appear but before they open. Cut the main shoot first to encourage side shoots.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Broccoli Rabe in Clark County, KS?

Clark County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Broccoli Rabe planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, KS?

Clark County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clark County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Clark County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.