Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli) in Zone 3a & 3b
Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra
Yes, gai lan (Chinese broccoli) grows in zones 3a and 3b. Plant it outside May 16–May 23.
When to plant gai lan (Chinese broccoli) in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 16–May 23 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 30–Jul 7 (~45 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-1.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 3b
These go outside within two weeks of gai lan (Chinese broccoli) in zone 3b, so one planting day can cover them.
- OnionMay 9–May 16
- CarrotMay 9–May 16
- CabbageMay 16–May 23
- LettuceMay 16–May 23
- BroccoliMay 16–May 23
- Flower SproutsMay 16–May 23
Gai lan, also called Chinese broccoli or kailaan, is grown for its thick, tender flowering stalks rather than a dense broccoli head, with a milder, slightly sweeter flavor than standard broccoli.
How gai lan (Chinese broccoli) fits zone 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Gai lan (Chinese broccoli) needs about 45 days from sowing to first harvest.
Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli) planting windows in every zone
Zone 3b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Not usually | May 6–May 13 | Jun 20–Jun 27 |
| 3a & 3b (your zone) | Not usually | May 16–May 23 | Jun 30–Jul 7 |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | May 1–May 8 | Jun 15–Jun 22 |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | Apr 26–May 3 | Jun 10–Jun 17 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Apr 11–Apr 18 | May 26–Jun 2 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 11–May 18 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Mar 11–Mar 18 | Apr 25–May 2 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Feb 1–Feb 8 | Mar 18–Mar 25 |
| 10a & 10b | Not usually | Jan 16–Jan 23 | Mar 2–Mar 9 |
| 11a & 11b | Not usually | Dec 18–Dec 25 | Feb 1–Feb 8 |
Harvest dates are about 45 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
- Radish: Radish (including the daikon form) is a documented trap crop for flea beetles, which prefer its mustard oils over other brassicas and can be sacrificed or pulled once infested: the same research cited on the radish page.
Where to buy gai lan seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries gai lan seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing gai lan (Chinese broccoli)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 3b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli) in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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