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When to Plant Bok Choy in Johnson County, TX

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.

Johnson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 239 days.

At an elevation of 2,525 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 62.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Bok Choy during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Bok Choy, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Bok Choy root diseases.

Johnson County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
239 days
Last Spring Frost March 18
239 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Johnson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (170 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – May 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – Jun 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 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
1.1″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 843 gal / 100 sq ft
Bok Choy needs ~950 GDD — county provides 4,541 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Johnson County, TX

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 25
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ Jun 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

239 days

Growing Tips for Johnson 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 Johnson County, TX?

Johnson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 18. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnson County, TX?

Johnson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and first fall frost is November 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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