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When to Plant Bok Choy in Calhoun County, FL

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.

Calhoun County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 260 days.

At an elevation of 178 feet, Calhoun County receives approximately 61.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Bok Choy during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Bok Choy will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Bok Choy root diseases.

Calhoun County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
260 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
260 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Calhoun County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.8-5.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (185 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 19 Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 6 – May 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (183 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 16 – May 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (183 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jun 12

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
1.0″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,225 gal / 100 sq ft
Bok Choy needs ~988 GDD — county provides 5,135 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Calhoun County, FL

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 โ€“ Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Direct Sow February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 12
Fall Sowing September 11 Sep 11 โ€“ Sep 25
Harvest April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
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 8b

Growing Season

260 days

Growing Tips for Calhoun 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 Calhoun County, FL?

Calhoun County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Calhoun County, FL?

Calhoun County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Calhoun County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Calhoun County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.