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When to Plant Kai Lan in Kinney County, TX

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.

Kinney County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 22 and the first fall frost is November 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 281 days.

At an elevation of 1,375 feet, Kinney County receives approximately 52.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 101°F, so Kai Lan may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Kai Lan will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Kai Lan root diseases.

Kinney County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
281 days
Last Spring Frost February 22
281 growing days
First Fall Frost November 30

Kinney County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.4-8.6

Drainage

Well Drained

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 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Mar 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 8.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 10.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Nov in Kinney County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Kai Lan Planting Timeline — Kinney County, TX

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 25 Jan 25 – Feb 8
Transplant Outdoors February 22 Feb 22 – Mar 8
Direct Sow February 1 Feb 1 – Feb 22
Harvest April 12 Apr 12 – May 10
Fall Sowing October 5 Oct 5 – Oct 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors
April Harvest
May Harvest
June
July
August
September
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

📆 Growing Season

281 days in Kinney County

Growing Tips for Kinney 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 Kinney County, TX?

Kinney County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 22. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kinney County, TX?

Kinney County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 22 and first fall frost is November 30.

🌱

Your Kinney County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Kinney County (Zone 9a). 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 Kinney County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.