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When to Plant Bok Choy in Licking County, OH

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.

Licking County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 880 feet, Licking County receives approximately 31.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Bok Choy during the growing season.

Licking County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Licking County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Bok Choy

Bok Choy needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Bok Choy Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Licking County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Licking County, OH

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 8
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 1
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Jul 10
Fall Sowing August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Aug 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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

178 days in Licking County

Growing Tips for Licking 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Bok Choy in Licking County, OH?

Licking County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Licking County, OH?

Licking County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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