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When to Plant Kai Lan in Emery County, UT

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.

Emery County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 7,259 feet, Emery County receives approximately 15.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kai Lan during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Kai Lan successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Emery County, UT (Zone 5b) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Emery County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Jul 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 28 Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Aug 18

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 860 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Kai Lan needs ~722 GDD — county provides 2,007 GDD Excellent fit

Kai Lan Planting Timeline โ€” Emery County, UT

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Direct Sow April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 18
Fall Sowing July 26 Jul 26 โ€“ Aug 9
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Jul 27

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing 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

146 days

Growing Tips for Emery 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 Emery County, UT?

Emery County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Emery County, UT?

Emery County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 4.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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