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When to Plant Bok Choy in Greene County, IL

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.

Greene County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 1,248 feet, Greene County receives approximately 37 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Bok Choy during the growing season.

Greene County, IL (Zone 5b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Greene County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jun 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 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
0.8″/week
You supply
1.4″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,318 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Bok Choy needs ~725 GDD — county provides 2,769 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Greene County, IL

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Apr 27
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 20
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jun 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Greene 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 Greene County, IL?

Greene County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greene County, IL?

Greene County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Greene County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Greene County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.