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When to Plant Kai Lan in Tennessee

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.

Tennessee spans USDA hardiness zones 6b, 7a, 7b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Kai Lan planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Kai Lan Planting Calendar for Tennessee

Zone 6b ~205 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 3 · First frost: October 25 · 205 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 17
Direct Sow March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 10
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 – Aug 30
Harvest May 22 May 22 – Jun 19
Zone 7a ~221 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 25 · First frost: November 1 · 221 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 8
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 – Apr 1
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 – Sep 6
Harvest May 13 May 13 – Jun 10
Zone 7b ~235 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 18 · First frost: November 8 · 235 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 25
Fall Sowing August 30 Aug 30 – Sep 13
Harvest May 6 May 6 – Jun 3

Growing Tips for Tennessee

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kai Lan in Tennessee?

Planting dates for Kai Lan in Tennessee depend on your USDA zone. Tennessee spans zones 6b, 7a, 7b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Tennessee for planting?

Tennessee contains USDA hardiness zones 6b, 7a, 7b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: April 2026.