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When to Plant Kai Lan in Grant County, KS

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.

Grant County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 1,096 feet, Grant County receives approximately 25.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kai Lan during the growing season.

Grant County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 20

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 781 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Kai Lan needs ~722 GDD — county provides 2,461 GDD Excellent fit

Kai Lan Planting Timeline โ€” Grant County, KS

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 28
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest June 9 Jun 9 โ€“ Jul 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

45โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

179 days

Growing Tips for Grant 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 Grant County, KS?

Grant County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, KS?

Grant County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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