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When to Plant Kai Lan in Green County, KY

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.

Green County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 198 days.

At an elevation of 3,262 feet, Green County receives approximately 50.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, 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.

Green County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
198 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
198 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Green County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jun 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 13

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
1.1″/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 ~958 GDD — county provides 3,613 GDD Excellent fit

Kai Lan Planting Timeline โ€” Green County, KY

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 18
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jun 27

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 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 6b

Growing Season

198 days

Growing Tips for Green 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 Green County, KY?

Green County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Green County, KY?

Green County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 26.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Green County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Green County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.