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When to Plant Broccoli Rabe in Coffey 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.

Coffey County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 466 feet, Coffey County receives approximately 27.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli Rabe during the growing season.

Coffey County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Coffey County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jun 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 8

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 851 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Broccoli Rabe needs ~762 GDD — county provides 2,989 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Rabe Planting Timeline โ€” Coffey County, KS

Broccoli Rabe Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 18
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
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 6a

Growing Season

196 days

Growing Tips for Coffey 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 Coffey County, KS?

Coffey County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Broccoli Rabe planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coffey County, KS?

Coffey County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Coffey County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Coffey County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.