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When to Plant Kai Lan in Schuyler 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.

Schuyler County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 1,076 feet, Schuyler County receives approximately 30.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kai Lan during the growing season.

Schuyler County, MO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Schuyler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jun 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 482 gal / 100 sq ft
Kai Lan needs ~761 GDD — county provides 2,624 GDD Excellent fit

Kai Lan Planting Timeline โ€” Schuyler County, MO

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jul 4

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

181 days

Growing Tips for Schuyler 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 Schuyler County, MO?

Schuyler County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Schuyler County, MO?

Schuyler County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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