When to Plant Bok Choy in McHenry County, ND
Your April game plan for McHenry County, North Dakota
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for McHenry County, North Dakota this April and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
Get ahead of May
- Transplants going out: bok choy
- Direct-sowing: 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.
McHenry County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 128 days.
At an elevation of 661 feet, McHenry County receives approximately 22.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Bok Choy to ensure they mature before fall.
McHenry County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.4-7.1
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 McHenry County
How your county's soil matches Bok Choy's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.4–7.1) is within Bok Choy's preferred range (6.0–7.5).
Soil Texture
The loam soil in McHenry County is excellent for Bok Choy — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.4%) — Bok Choy will thrive.
How to Plant Bok Choy
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Bok Choy
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jun 30.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3" | 3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 1.6" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 3" | 2" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 3" | 2.4" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3" | 2.1" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in McHenry 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 — McHenry County, ND
Bok Choy Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 17 | May 17 – May 31 |
| Direct Sow | May 10 | May 10 – May 31 |
| Harvest | June 28 | Jun 28 – Aug 2 |
| Fall Sowing | June 30 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| 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: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 3b
📆 Growing Season
128 days in McHenry County
Growing Tips for Bok Choy in McHenry County
Direct sow Bok Choy outdoors after May 17 in McHenry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
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 McHenry County, ND?
McHenry County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Bok Choy planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is McHenry County, ND?
McHenry County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is September 22.
Your McHenry County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for McHenry County (Zone 3b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.