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When to Plant Bok Choy in Hamilton 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.

Hamilton County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 267 days.

At an elevation of 279 feet, Hamilton 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.

Hamilton County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
267 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
267 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Hamilton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.2-5.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (193 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 15 Transplant: Feb 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 2 – May 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (190 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 15 – May 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (194 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 5 – Jun 9

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 2,346 gal / 100 sq ft
Bok Choy needs ~988 GDD — county provides 5,273 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Hamilton County, FL

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 28 Jan 28 โ€“ Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Direct Sow February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 11
Fall Sowing September 17 Sep 17 โ€“ Oct 1
Harvest April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 20

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 Fall Sowing
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

267 days

Growing Tips for Hamilton 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 Hamilton County, FL?

Hamilton County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hamilton County, FL?

Hamilton County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 26.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hamilton 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 Hamilton County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.