Blog

When to Plant Kai Lan in Stephens 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.

Stephens County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 3,055 feet, Stephens County receives approximately 63.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kai Lan during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Kai Lan root diseases.

Stephens County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Stephens County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.7

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 โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 3.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 7.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 9.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 10.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Nov in Stephens County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Kai Lan Planting Timeline โ€” Stephens County, TX

Kai Lan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 11
Harvest May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 20
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 โ€“ Sep 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

45โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

220 days in Stephens County

Growing Tips for Stephens 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 Stephens County, TX?

Stephens County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Kai Lan planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stephens County, TX?

Stephens County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Stephens County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Stephens County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.