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When to Plant Kai Lan in Adair County, MO

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.

Adair County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 1,327 feet, Adair County receives approximately 34.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kai Lan during the growing season.

Adair County, MO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 17
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Adair County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jun 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Jul 19

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
0.8″/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 ~761 GDD — county provides 2,653 GDD Excellent fit

Kai Lan Planting Timeline โ€” Adair County, MO

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 1
Direct Sow April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 24
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Jul 3

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 5b

Growing Season

183 days

Growing Tips for Adair 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 Adair County, MO?

Adair County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 17. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Adair County, MO?

Adair County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and first fall frost is October 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Adair County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Adair County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.