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When to Plant Bok Choy in Providence County, RI

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.

Providence County, Rhode Island is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 1,199 feet, Providence County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Bok Choy during the growing season.

Providence County, RI (Zone 6a) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Providence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Jul 29

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Bok Choy needs ~762 GDD — county provides 2,745 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Providence County, RI

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Jul 9

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 6a

Growing Season

180 days

Growing Tips for Providence 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 Providence County, RI?

Providence County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Providence County, RI?

Providence County, Rhode Island is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Providence County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Providence County, RI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.