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When to Plant Bok Choy in DeKalb 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.

DeKalb County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 3,805 feet, DeKalb County receives approximately 52.2 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.

DeKalb County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

DeKalb County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jun 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jun 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 7

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
1.1″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 879 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Bok Choy needs ~875 GDD — county provides 3,517 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” DeKalb County, TN

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest May 22 May 22 โ€“ Jun 26

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 Fall Sowing
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

201 days

Growing Tips for DeKalb 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 DeKalb County, TN?

DeKalb County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is DeKalb County, TN?

DeKalb County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help DeKalb 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 DeKalb County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.