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When to Plant Kai Lan in Lowndes County, MS

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.

Lowndes County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 256 feet, Lowndes County receives approximately 55.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kai Lan during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Kai Lan, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Kai Lan root diseases.

Lowndes County, MS (Zone 7b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Lowndes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – May 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jun 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jun 29

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
Kai Lan needs ~1,037 GDD — county provides 4,503 GDD Excellent fit

Kai Lan Planting Timeline โ€” Lowndes County, MS

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 30
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Sep 11
Harvest May 11 May 11 โ€“ Jun 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
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 7b

Growing Season

228 days

Growing Tips for Lowndes 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 Lowndes County, MS?

Lowndes County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lowndes County, MS?

Lowndes County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 6.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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