Chinese Broccoli

Chinese Broccoli, also known as Gai Lan, is a leafy green vegetable with tender stalks, glossy dark green leaves, and small edible flower buds. Its mild, slightly bitter flavor with a hint of sweetness makes it a staple in many Asian cuisines, especially in stir-fries and soups. This versatile vegetable is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium and antioxidants that support overall health. Chinese Broccoli is easy to grow in a home garden and grows well in cool climates, making it a favorite for gardeners looking for a reliable and fast-growing crop. Its ability to produce multiple harvests ensures a continuous supply of fresh greens.

Also Known As: Gai Lan, Chinese Kale, Jie Lan, Kai Lan, Chinese Flowering Broccoli, Brassica Alboglabra, White Flowering Broccoli, Oriental Broccoli, Asian Broccoli, Cantonese Kale.

Plant Name:	Chinese Broccoli, Gailan F1
Latin Name:	Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra
Days to Germinate:	4-7
Days to Harvest:	60
Plant Height:	1 - 2 Feet
Spread:	12 -18 Inches
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	2-11
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Hybrid
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 2 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Planting Chinese Broccoli in cooler weather helps prevent bolting, which can occur in hot temperatures (Chinese Broccoli is best grown in 55F-75F temperatures).

Starting Indoors: For an earlier harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when the soil temperature is above 50F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the holes, burying roots in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant in spring when the soil warms to at least 50F. For fall crops, direct sow seeds outdoors 10-14 weeks before the first frost. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 6-12 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	6-12 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	2 feet

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 3-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply a light dressing of fertilizer, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Chinese Broccoli is best harvested about 6"-8" tall, while young, when stalks are tender, and when the flower buds are still tight and green, just before they start to open or show any yellowing, about 50 days after planting. Harvest by cutting the main stem just above the base. The flower buds are edible and add flavor to the plant. If you prefer to harvest only the leaves, you can begin cutting young leaves once the plant is established, allowing the rest of the plant to continue growing. If you leave the plant after cutting the stem, it may continue to produce smaller side shoots after the main stem is cut, extending your harvest period.