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When to Plant Bok Choy in Richland 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.

Richland County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 153 days.

At an elevation of 791 feet, Richland County receives approximately 28.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Bok Choy to ensure they mature before fall.

Richland County, ND (Zone 4a) Moderate season
153 days
Last Spring Frost May 6
153 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Richland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 2

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 1,917 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Bok Choy needs ~538 GDD — county provides 1,644 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Richland County, ND

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 20
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 20
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Jul 28
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 โ€“ Jul 22

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 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

153 days

Growing Tips for Richland 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 Richland County, ND?

Richland County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Richland County, ND?

Richland County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Richland County gardeners in Zone 4a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Richland County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.