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When to Plant Broccoli Rabe in Finney 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.

Finney County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 873 feet, Finney County receives approximately 30 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli Rabe during the growing season.

Finney County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Finney County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 24

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 513 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Broccoli Rabe needs ~875 GDD — county provides 3,045 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Rabe Planting Timeline โ€” Finney County, KS

Broccoli Rabe Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jul 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

174 days

Growing Tips for Finney 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 Finney County, KS?

Finney County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Broccoli Rabe planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Finney County, KS?

Finney County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Finney 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 Finney County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.