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When to Plant Kai Lan in Sherman County, NE

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.

Sherman County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 149 days.

At an elevation of 807 feet, Sherman County receives approximately 33.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Kai Lan to ensure they mature before fall.

Sherman County, NE (Zone 5b) Short season
149 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
149 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Sherman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Kai Lan Planting Timeline — Sherman County, NE

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 – May 23
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 – May 16
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 – Jul 25
Fall Sowing July 27 Jul 27 – Aug 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

45–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

149 days in Sherman County

Growing Tips for Sherman 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kai Lan in Sherman County, NE?

Sherman County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sherman County, NE?

Sherman County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 5.

🌱

Your Sherman County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Sherman County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Sherman County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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