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When to Plant Kai Lan in Butler 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.

Butler County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 703 feet, Butler County receives approximately 36.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kai Lan during the growing season.

Butler County, MO (Zone 6b) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Butler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jun 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jun 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 3

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 579 gal / 100 sq ft
Kai Lan needs ~958 GDD — county provides 4,015 GDD Excellent fit

Kai Lan Planting Timeline โ€” Butler County, MO

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Apr 3
Fall Sowing August 24 Aug 24 โ€“ Sep 7
Harvest May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jun 12

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 Direct Sow
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 6b

Growing Season

220 days

Growing Tips for Butler 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 Butler County, MO?

Butler County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Butler County, MO?

Butler County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 2.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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