When to Plant Bok Choy in Ascension Parish, LA
Your May gardening checklist
Here's what deserves your attention in Ascension Parish, Louisiana this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 9a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Collect bok choy at their peak
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
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.
Ascension Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 295 days.
At an elevation of 226 feet, Ascension Parish receives approximately 61.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 103°F, so Bok Choy may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Bok Choy will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Bok Choy root diseases.
Ascension Parish Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
5-6.2
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 Ascension Parish
How your county's soil matches Bok Choy's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.0–6.2) is more acidic than Bok Choy prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Ascension Parish warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Bok Choy will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Bok Choy.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is low (2.0%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Bok Choy.
How to Plant Bok Choy
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Bok Choy
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 06 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 10.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 5.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | 3" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Mar | 3" | 5.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 6.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 5.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 3" | 5.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | 3" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Ascension Parish). 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 — Ascension Parish, LA
Bok Choy Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 16 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 13 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Direct Sow | January 23 | Jan 23 – Feb 13 |
| Harvest | March 27 | Mar 27 – May 1 |
| Fall Sowing | October 10 | Oct 10 – Oct 24 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| February | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | Harvest |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| 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 9a
📆 Growing Season
295 days in Ascension Parish
Growing Tips for Bok Choy in Ascension Parish
Direct sow Bok Choy outdoors after February 13 in Ascension Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Ascension Parish dries quickly — mulch Bok Choy with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
With summer highs reaching 103°F in Ascension Parish, provide afternoon shade for Bok Choy and water deeply in the morning.
Your generous 296.0-day season in Ascension Parish 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
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Bok Choy in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Bok Choy in Ascension Parish, LA?
Ascension Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Ascension Parish, LA?
Ascension Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 5.
Your Ascension Parish Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Ascension Parish (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.