Blog

When to Plant Bok Choy in Okeechobee 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.

Okeechobee County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is January 25 and the first fall frost is December 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 329 days.

At an elevation of 139 feet, Okeechobee County receives approximately 49.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, 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.

Okeechobee County, FL (Zone 9b) Year-round
329 days
Last Spring Frost January 25
329 growing days
First Fall Frost December 20

Okeechobee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.2-5.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (246 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 22 Transplant: Jan 19 🍅 Harvest: Mar 2 – Apr 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (252 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 28 Transplant: Jan 25 🍅 Harvest: Mar 8 – Apr 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (230 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Feb 21 🍅 Harvest: Apr 4 – May 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
0.6″/week
You supply
1.6″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 4,648 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Bok Choy needs ~1,288 GDD — county provides 8,497 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Okeechobee County, FL

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 28 Dec 28 โ€“ Jan 11
Transplant Outdoors January 25 Jan 25 โ€“ Feb 8
Direct Sow January 4 Jan 4 โ€“ Jan 25
Fall Sowing October 25 Oct 25 โ€“ Nov 8
Harvest March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Apr 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 9b

Growing Season

329 days

Growing Tips for Okeechobee 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 Okeechobee County, FL?

Okeechobee County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of January 25. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Okeechobee County, FL?

Okeechobee County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is January 25 and first fall frost is December 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Okeechobee County gardeners in Zone 9b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Okeechobee County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.