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When to Plant Bok Choy in Collier 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.

Collier County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 12 and the first fall frost is April 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 93 days.

At an elevation of 185 feet, Collier County receives approximately 61.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, 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.

Collier County, FL (Zone 10a) Very short season
93 days
Last Spring Frost January 12
93 growing days
First Fall Frost April 15

Collier County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (206 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 8 Transplant: Jan 5 🍅 Harvest: Feb 16 – Mar 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (199 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 15 Transplant: Jan 12 🍅 Harvest: Feb 23 – Mar 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (171 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 12 Transplant: Feb 9 🍅 Harvest: Mar 23 – Apr 27

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
0.7″/week
You supply
1.2″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 4,043 gal / 100 sq ft
Bok Choy needs ~688 GDD — county provides 5,018 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Collier County, FL

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 15 Dec 15 โ€“ Dec 29
Transplant Outdoors January 12 Jan 12 โ€“ Jan 26
Direct Sow December 22 Dec 22 โ€“ Jan 12
Fall Sowing February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 4
Harvest February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 10a

Growing Season

93 days

Growing Tips for Collier 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 Collier County, FL?

Collier County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of January 12. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Collier County, FL?

Collier County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 12 and first fall frost is .

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Collier County gardeners in Zone 10a 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 Collier County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.