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When to Plant Bok Choy in Holmes 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.

Holmes County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 164 feet, Holmes County receives approximately 57.8 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.

Holmes County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 15
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Holmes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.2-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (167 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – May 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (166 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – May 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (157 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,300 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Bok Choy needs ~988 GDD — county provides 4,799 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Holmes County, FL

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 8 Feb 8 โ€“ Feb 22
Transplant Outdoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Direct Sow March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 22
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
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

243 days

Growing Tips for Holmes 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 Holmes County, FL?

Holmes County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 15. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Holmes County, FL?

Holmes County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 15 and first fall frost is November 13.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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