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When to Plant Kai Lan in Kane 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.

Kane County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 147 days.

At an elevation of 5,900 feet, Kane County receives approximately 19.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, 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.

Kane County, UT (Zone 6a) Short season
147 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
147 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Kane County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Jul 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 2 Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Aug 22

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 Kane County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“8.1) overlaps with Kai Lan's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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

3
successive plantings in your 147-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 08 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 29.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 695 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€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 2.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.3" 3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Kane 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 ~919 GDD — county provides 2,572 GDD Excellent fit

Kai Lan Planting Timeline โ€” Kane County, UT

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 โ€“ May 27
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 20
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Jul 29
Fall Sowing July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Aug 12

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 โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
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: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

147 days in Kane County

Growing Tips for Kai Lan in Kane County

Direct sow Kai Lan outdoors after May 13 in Kane County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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.

Kane County receives only 20" 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 Kane County, UT?

Kane County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kane County, UT?

Kane County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kane County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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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 Kane County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.