Blog

When to Plant Bok Choy in Douglas County, WA

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.

Douglas County, Washington is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 149 days.

At an elevation of 2,920 feet, Douglas County receives approximately 15.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Bok Choy during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Bok Choy successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Douglas County, WA (Zone 6b) Short season
149 days
Last Spring Frost May 8
149 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Douglas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Bok Choy

Bok Choy needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Bok Choy Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 2.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.2" 4.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.3" 4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.7" 3.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 2.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Douglas County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Bok Choy Planting Timeline โ€” Douglas County, WA

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Transplant Outdoors May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 22
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 15
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Jul 24
Fall Sowing July 26 Jul 26 โ€“ Aug 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

149 days in Douglas County

Growing Tips for Douglas 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Bok Choy in Douglas County, WA?

Douglas County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 8. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Douglas County, WA?

Douglas County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 8 and first fall frost is October 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Douglas County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Douglas County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.