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When to Plant Bok Choy in Guadalupe County, NM

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.

Guadalupe County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 4,169 feet, Guadalupe County receives approximately 16 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, 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. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Bok Choy successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Guadalupe County, NM (Zone 6b) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Guadalupe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 4

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
0.4″/week
You supply
1.3″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,862 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Bok Choy needs ~800 GDD — county provides 2,576 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Guadalupe County, NM

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 9
Fall Sowing August 1 Aug 1 โ€“ Aug 15
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 โ€“ Jul 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
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 6b

Growing Season

161 days

Growing Tips for Guadalupe 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 Guadalupe County, NM?

Guadalupe County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Guadalupe County, NM?

Guadalupe County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Guadalupe County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Guadalupe County, NM. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.