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When to Plant Kai Lan in Bledsoe County, TN

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.

Bledsoe County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 3,897 feet, Bledsoe County receives approximately 48 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kai Lan during the growing season.

Bledsoe County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Bledsoe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jun 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jun 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 9

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Kai Lan needs ~1,037 GDD — county provides 3,890 GDD Excellent fit

Kai Lan Planting Timeline โ€” Bledsoe County, TN

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 18
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Aug 30
Harvest May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jun 27

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 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 7a

Growing Season

197 days

Growing Tips for Bledsoe 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 Bledsoe County, TN?

Bledsoe County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bledsoe County, TN?

Bledsoe County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 25.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bledsoe County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Bledsoe County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.