Gai Lan

Gai Lan

Gai Lan, also known as Chinese broccoli, is a cool season variety that produces glossy blue-green leaves with thick stems and a small number of tiny flower heads similar to those of broccoli. Plant in full sun or partial shade in soil amended with plenty of compost and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer for tender leaves and stems.

Planting your 6 pack: Either separate each seedling by carefully teasing apart the roots and plant each seedling 6-8 inches apart and water immediately after. Or, plant the whole cluster of seedlings 10 inches apart and water in after planting.

Harvest by cutting off the entire plant at the base when it just begins to flower. Gai Lan is eaten widely in Chinese Cuisine, especially in Cantonese Cuisine. A common preparation is Gai Lan stir fried with ginger and garlic. Gai lan is also common in Vietnamese and Thai cuisine.