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When to Plant Kai Lan in Gasconade 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.

Gasconade County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 1,221 feet, Gasconade County receives approximately 38.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kai Lan during the growing season.

Gasconade County, MO (Zone 6a) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
202 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Gasconade County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jun 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jun 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 6

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
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 430 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 2,929 GDD Excellent fit

Kai Lan Planting Timeline โ€” Gasconade County, MO

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 15
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jun 24

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 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 6a

Growing Season

202 days

Growing Tips for Gasconade 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 Gasconade County, MO?

Gasconade County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gasconade County, MO?

Gasconade County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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