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When to Plant Bok Choy in Levy 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.

Levy County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 271 days.

At an elevation of 305 feet, Levy County receives approximately 50.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 100ยฐF, so Bok Choy may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Levy County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
271 days
Last Spring Frost March 2
271 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Levy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (204 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: Mar 28 – May 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (194 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 2 🍅 Harvest: Apr 13 – May 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (193 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jun 10

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
0.8″/week
You supply
1.4″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 3,379 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Bok Choy needs ~1,250 GDD — county provides 6,775 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Levy County, FL

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 โ€“ Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Direct Sow February 9 Feb 9 โ€“ Mar 2
Fall Sowing October 3 Oct 3 โ€“ Oct 17
Harvest April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
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 9a

Growing Season

271 days

Growing Tips for Levy 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 Levy County, FL?

Levy County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 2. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Levy County, FL?

Levy County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 2 and first fall frost is November 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Levy County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Levy County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.