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When to Plant Bok Choy in Cocke County, TN

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.

Cocke County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 3,577 feet, Cocke County receives approximately 45.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Bok Choy during the growing season.

Cocke County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Cocke County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 17

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 901 gal / 100 sq ft
Bok Choy needs ~1,025 GDD — county provides 4,018 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Cocke County, TN

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 18
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 27

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

196 days

Growing Tips for Cocke 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 Cocke County, TN?

Cocke County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cocke County, TN?

Cocke County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cocke County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Cocke County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.