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When to Plant Bok Choy in Union 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.

Union County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost is November 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 271 days.

At an elevation of 360 feet, Union County receives approximately 60.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, 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.

Union County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
271 days
Last Spring Frost March 1
271 growing days
First Fall Frost November 27

Union County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.2-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (198 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 1 Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: Apr 12 – May 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (192 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jun 11

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
0.9″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,438 gal / 100 sq ft
Bok Choy needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 5,962 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Union County, FL

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 1 Feb 1 โ€“ Feb 15
Transplant Outdoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Direct Sow February 8 Feb 8 โ€“ Mar 1
Fall Sowing October 2 Oct 2 โ€“ Oct 16
Harvest April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 17

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 Union 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 Union County, FL?

Union County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 1. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Union County, FL?

Union County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 1 and first fall frost is November 27.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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