Blog

When to Plant Bok Choy in Pierce County, ND

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.

Pierce County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 128 days.

At an elevation of 874 feet, Pierce County receives approximately 28.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 78ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Bok Choy to ensure they mature before fall.

Pierce County, ND (Zone 3b) Short season
128 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
128 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22

Pierce County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 16 Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 13

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 772 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Bok Choy needs ~425 GDD — county provides 1,088 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Pierce County, ND

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Direct Sow May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 31
Fall Sowing June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Jul 14
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Aug 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Fall Sowing Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
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 3b

Growing Season

128 days

Growing Tips for Pierce 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 Pierce County, ND?

Pierce County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pierce County, ND?

Pierce County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is September 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pierce County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Pierce County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.