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When to Plant Bok Choy in Ransom 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.

Ransom County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 517 feet, Ransom County receives approximately 32.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Bok Choy to ensure they mature before fall.

Ransom County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 8
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Ransom County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 3

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
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 765 gal / 100 sq ft
Bok Choy needs ~612 GDD — county provides 1,813 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Ransom County, ND

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Transplant Outdoors May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 22
Direct Sow May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 22
Fall Sowing July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Jul 25
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Jul 24

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
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August โ€”
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 4a

Growing Season

148 days

Growing Tips for Ransom 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 Ransom County, ND?

Ransom County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 8. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ransom County, ND?

Ransom County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Ransom County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Ransom County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.