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When to Plant Kai Lan in Davidson County, NC

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.

Davidson County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 203 days.

At an elevation of 971 feet, Davidson County receives approximately 42.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Kai Lan during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Kai Lan, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Davidson County, NC (Zone 8a) Long season
203 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
203 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Davidson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Kai Lan Planting Timeline — Davidson County, NC

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 16
Harvest May 28 May 28 – Jun 25
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 – Sep 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
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 8a

📆 Growing Season

203 days in Davidson County

Growing Tips for Davidson 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 Davidson County, NC?

Davidson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Davidson County, NC?

Davidson County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 29.

🌱

Your Davidson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Davidson County (Zone 8a). 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 Davidson County, NC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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