When to plant gai lan (chinese broccoli) in Virginia
Virginia spans USDA zones 7a–8b, 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 February 23 in Norfolk to April 5 in Radford — below are local dates for 127 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 8b | March 29 | November 12 | March 8 – April 12 |
| Chesapeake | 8a | March 23 | November 18 | March 2 – April 6 |
| Arlington | 7b | March 24 | November 18 | March 3 – April 7 |
| Norfolk | 8b | March 16 | November 26 | February 23 – March 30 |
| Richmond | 7b | April 3 | November 4 | March 13 – April 17 |
| Newport News | 8a | April 1 | November 9 | March 11 – April 15 |
| Alexandria | 8a | March 24 | November 18 | March 3 – April 7 |
| Hampton | 8b | March 24 | November 15 | March 3 – April 7 |
Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli) in Virginia: FAQ
When can I plant gai lan (chinese broccoli) in Virginia?
Across Virginia, the time to direct-sow gai lan (chinese broccoli) spans roughly February 23 in Norfolk to April 5 in Radford, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the gai lan (chinese broccoli) planting date vary across Virginia?
Yes. Virginia publishes 127 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 Virginia?
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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