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When to Plant Broccoli Rabe in Neosho 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.

Neosho County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 203 days.

At an elevation of 666 feet, Neosho County receives approximately 23.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli Rabe during the growing season.

Neosho County, KS (Zone 6a) Long season
203 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
203 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Neosho County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jun 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 7

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
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,118 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Broccoli Rabe needs ~838 GDD — county provides 3,400 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Rabe Planting Timeline โ€” Neosho County, KS

Broccoli Rabe Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 17
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Direct Sow March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 14
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jun 23

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 Fall Sowing
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

203 days

Growing Tips for Neosho 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 Neosho County, KS?

Neosho County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Broccoli Rabe planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Neosho County, KS?

Neosho County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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