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When to Plant Bok Choy in Ouachita County, AR

Bok choy is a Chinese cabbage variety with crisp white stalks and dark green leaves. It is a fast-growing cool-season crop ideal for stir-fries and soups.

Ouachita County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 225 days.

At an elevation of 591 feet, Ouachita County receives approximately 48.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Bok Choy may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat.

Ouachita County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
225 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
225 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Ouachita County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (153 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – May 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jun 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (147 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jun 30

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,180 gal / 100 sq ft
Bok Choy needs ~1,062 GDD — county provides 4,781 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Ouachita County, AR

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 30
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Sep 8
Harvest May 4 May 4 โ€“ Jun 8

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

225 days

Growing Tips for Ouachita County

Direct sow in spring or fall for best results. Keep soil consistently moist. Harvest whole heads or cut outer leaves for a cut-and-come-again approach.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Bok Choy in Ouachita County, AR?

Ouachita County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ouachita County, AR?

Ouachita County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 3.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Ouachita County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Ouachita County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.