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When to Plant Kai Lan in Millard 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.

Millard County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.

At an elevation of 6,525 feet, Millard County receives approximately 24 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Kai Lan to ensure they mature before fall.

Millard County, UT (Zone 5b) Short season
137 days
Last Spring Frost May 16
137 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Millard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 11 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 5 Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Aug 25

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 387 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Kai Lan needs ~682 GDD — county provides 1,781 GDD Excellent fit

Kai Lan Planting Timeline โ€” Millard County, UT

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Transplant Outdoors May 16 May 16 โ€“ May 30
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 23
Fall Sowing July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Aug 5
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Aug 1

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
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
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

137 days

Growing Tips for Millard 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 Millard County, UT?

Millard County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Millard County, UT?

Millard County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 16 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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