Blog

When to Plant Bok Choy in Clark County, NV

Clark County, Nevada Zone 9b May

Your May planting checklist for Clark County, Nevada

May is a pivotal month for Clark County, Nevada gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost February 28
Avg. first frost November 23
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Pick bok choy

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

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Clark County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 28 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 268 days.

At an elevation of 2,811 feet, Clark County receives approximately 9.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 111°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. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Bok Choy successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Clark County, NV (Zone 9b) Long season
268 days
Last Spring Frost February 28
268 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23

Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.3-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (196 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 14 Transplant: Feb 11 🍅 Harvest: Mar 25 – Apr 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (191 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: Apr 11 – May 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (177 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jun 21

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 Clark County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.3–8.4) is more alkaline than Bok Choy prefers (6.0–7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Clark County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Bok Choy will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Bok Choy is a heavy drinker but your soil drains very quickly. Mulch heavily and consider drip irrigation.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Bok Choy.

How to Plant Bok Choy

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

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Bok Choy

8
successive plantings in your 268-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 24 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 28.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.2″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,197 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3" 0.6" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Mar 3" 0.6" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Apr 3" 0.3" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
May 3" 0.2" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 3" 0.3" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3" 1.5" 1.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3" 1.9" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3" 1.2" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 3" 0.9" 2.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 3" 0.5" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Nov in Clark 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 needs ~1,662 GDD — county provides 8,944 GDD Excellent fit

Bok Choy Planting Timeline — Clark County, NV

Bok Choy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 31 Jan 31 – Feb 14
Transplant Outdoors February 28 Feb 28 – Mar 14
Direct Sow February 7 Feb 7 – Feb 28
Harvest April 11 Apr 11 – May 16
Fall Sowing September 28 Sep 28 – Oct 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

0.7"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

268 days in Clark County

Growing Tips for Bok Choy in Clark County

Direct sow Bok Choy outdoors after February 28 in Clark County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Clark County 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 111°F in Clark County, provide afternoon shade for Bok Choy and water deeply in the morning.

Your generous 269.0-day season in Clark 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

  • Strawberries

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Bok Choy in Clark County, NV?

Clark County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 28. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, NV?

Clark County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 28 and first fall frost is November 23.

🌱

Your Clark County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Clark County (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Clark County, NV. 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.