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When to Plant Kai Lan in Kearny 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.

Kearny County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 720 feet, Kearny County receives approximately 22.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kai Lan during the growing season.

Kearny County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Kearny 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 (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Jul 26

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 820 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Kai Lan needs ~958 GDD — county provides 3,157 GDD Excellent fit

Kai Lan Planting Timeline โ€” Kearny County, KS

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 10
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Jul 12

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

45โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

173 days

Growing Tips for Kearny 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 Kearny County, KS?

Kearny County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kearny County, KS?

Kearny County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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