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When to Plant Kai Lan in Tooele 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.

Tooele County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 169 days.

At an elevation of 4,309 feet, Tooele County receives approximately 12.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, 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.

Tooele County, UT (Zone 6a) Moderate season
169 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
169 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Tooele County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 13 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 3

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
0.3″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,240 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Kai Lan needs ~879 GDD — county provides 2,830 GDD Excellent fit

Kai Lan Planting Timeline โ€” Tooele County, UT

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 15
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Jul 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July 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 6a

Growing Season

169 days

Growing Tips for Tooele 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 Tooele County, UT?

Tooele County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tooele County, UT?

Tooele County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Tooele County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Tooele County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.