When to plant gai lan (chinese broccoli) in Iowa
Iowa spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant gai lan (chinese broccoli) shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 22 in Fort Madison to April 10 in Spencer — below are local dates for 42 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | March 28 – May 2 |
| Cedar Rapids | 5b | April 27 | October 11 | April 6 – May 11 |
| Davenport | 5b | April 19 | October 22 | March 29 – May 3 |
| Sioux City | 5a | April 29 | October 7 | April 8 – May 13 |
| Iowa City | 5b | April 21 | October 18 | March 31 – May 5 |
| Ankeny | 5b | April 23 | October 15 | April 2 – May 7 |
| West Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | March 28 – May 2 |
| Ames | 5b | April 26 | October 8 | April 5 – May 10 |
Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli) in Iowa: FAQ
When can I plant gai lan (chinese broccoli) in Iowa?
Across Iowa, the time to direct-sow gai lan (chinese broccoli) spans roughly March 22 in Fort Madison to April 10 in Spencer, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the gai lan (chinese broccoli) planting date vary across Iowa?
Yes. Iowa publishes 42 cities with their own frost dates, so the right gai lan (chinese broccoli) planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does gai lan (chinese broccoli) take to grow in Iowa?
Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli) takes about 50–70 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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