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When to Plant Kai Lan in Reno 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.

Reno County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 635 feet, Reno County receives approximately 28.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kai Lan during the growing season.

Reno County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Reno County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jun 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 17

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 749 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 3,449 GDD Excellent fit

Kai Lan Planting Timeline โ€” Reno County, KS

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Jul 2

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 โ€”
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

189 days

Growing Tips for Reno 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 Reno County, KS?

Reno County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Reno County, KS?

Reno County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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