Blog

When to Plant Kai Lan in Wagoner County, OK

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.

Wagoner County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 640 feet, Wagoner County receives approximately 22 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kai Lan during the growing season.

Wagoner County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Wagoner County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jun 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jun 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 5

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.

Soil Compatibility in Wagoner County

How your county's soil matches Kai Lan's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.3) is within Kai Lan's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Wagoner County is excellent for Kai Lan โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). Annual compost additions will help Kai Lan.

How to Plant Kai Lan

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Kai Lan

5
successive plantings in your 206-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 30 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 20.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,213 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Kai Lan

Kai Lan needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Kai Lan Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 0.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.3" 2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 0.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Wagoner County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Kai Lan Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Kai Lan needs ~879 GDD — county provides 3,450 GDD Excellent fit

Kai Lan Planting Timeline โ€” Wagoner County, OK

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 13
Harvest May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jun 22
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 3

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

45โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

206 days in Wagoner County

Growing Tips for Kai Lan in Wagoner County

Direct sow Kai Lan outdoors after April 06 in Wagoner County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 206.0-day season in Wagoner County allows multiple plantings of Kai Lan. Sow every 22.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Kai Lan in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Wagoner County receives only 22" of rain annually. Kai Lan needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kai Lan in Wagoner County, OK?

Wagoner County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wagoner County, OK?

Wagoner County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wagoner County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Wagoner County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.