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When to Plant Kai Lan in Scott County, AR

Kai lan (Chinese broccoli) is a brassica grown for its thick, glossy stems and small flower buds. It has a slightly bitter, broccoli-like flavor essential in Cantonese cooking.

Scott County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 797 feet, Scott County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kai Lan during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Kai Lan root diseases.

Scott County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Scott County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jun 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (142 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 2

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Kai Lan needs ~840 GDD — county provides 3,344 GDD Excellent fit

Kai Lan Planting Timeline โ€” Scott County, AR

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 12
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 โ€“ Sep 5
Harvest May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jun 21

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" 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

45โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

209 days

Growing Tips for Scott County

Direct sow in spring or fall. Harvest when flower buds first appear but before they open. Cut stems at the base to encourage side shoots. Prefers cool weather.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kai Lan in Scott County, AR?

Scott County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Scott County, AR?

Scott County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 31.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Scott County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Scott County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.