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When to Plant Bok Choy in Lincoln Parish, LA

Lincoln Parish, Louisiana Zone 8b May

May in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana — your action list

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Lincoln Parish, Louisiana this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 22
Avg. first frost November 5
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Bring in the bok choy

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Before June arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: bok choy

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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.

Lincoln Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 77 feet, Lincoln Parish receives approximately 61.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Bok Choy may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Bok Choy root diseases.

Lincoln Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Lincoln Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (153 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – May 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Jun 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (147 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 1

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 Lincoln Parish

How your county's soil matches Bok Choy's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–6.7) overlaps with Bok Choy's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Lincoln Parish is excellent for Bok Choy — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Bok Choy.

How to Plant Bok Choy

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Bok Choy

6
successive plantings in your 228-day season

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

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Lincoln 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 needs ~1,138 GDD — county provides 5,187 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline — Lincoln Parish, LA

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 – Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 5
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 29
Harvest May 3 May 3 – Jun 7
Fall Sowing August 27 Aug 27 – Sep 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

228 days in Lincoln Parish

Growing Tips for Bok Choy in Lincoln Parish

Direct sow Bok Choy outdoors after March 22 in Lincoln Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 97°F in Lincoln Parish, provide afternoon shade for Bok Choy and water deeply in the morning.

Your generous 228.0-day season in Lincoln 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

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 Lincoln Parish, LA?

Lincoln Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln Parish, LA?

Lincoln Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 5.

🌱

Your Lincoln Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Lincoln Parish (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Lincoln Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.