When to Plant Bok Choy in Ashley County, AR
This month in Ashley County, Arkansas
Here's what deserves your attention in Ashley County, Arkansas this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 8b and timed around your local frost dates.
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Indoor seed-starting week for bok choy
These need a head start before your last frost (March 19). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.
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Harvest bok choy as they ripen
If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.
May will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: bok choy
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.
Ashley County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.
At an elevation of 1,028 feet, Ashley County receives approximately 47.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Bok Choy during the growing season.
Ashley County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.7
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Ashley County
How your county's soil matches Bok Choy's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.2–6.7) is more acidic than Bok Choy prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Ashley County is excellent for Bok Choy — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Bok Choy.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Bok Choy.
How to Plant Bok Choy
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Bok Choy
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 06 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 27.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Bok Choy
Bok Choy needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Bok Choy Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 3" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 3" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 5.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 5.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 3.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3" | 2.8" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 3" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Ashley County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Bok Choy Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Bok Choy Planting Timeline — Ashley County, AR
Bok Choy Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 12 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Direct Sow | March 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 26 |
| Harvest | April 30 | Apr 30 – Jun 4 |
| Fall Sowing | August 27 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.7"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
40–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8b
📆 Growing Season
231 days in Ashley County
Growing Tips for Bok Choy in Ashley County
Direct sow Bok Choy outdoors after March 19 in Ashley County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 231.0-day season in Ashley County allows multiple plantings of Bok Choy. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.
Common pests for Bok Choy in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Bok Choy in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Bok Choy in Ashley County, AR?
Ashley County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Ashley County, AR?
Ashley County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 5.
Your Ashley County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Ashley County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.