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When to Plant Bok Choy in Josephine County, OR

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.

Josephine County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 340 feet, Josephine County receives approximately 52.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Bok Choy during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Bok Choy root diseases.

Josephine County, OR (Zone 8a) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Josephine County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 28

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
1.2″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 439 gal / 100 sq ft
Bok Choy needs ~875 GDD — county provides 3,167 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Josephine County, OR

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jul 8

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
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 8a

Growing Season

181 days

Growing Tips for Josephine 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 Josephine County, OR?

Josephine County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Josephine County, OR?

Josephine County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Josephine County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Josephine County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.