When to plant bok choy in zone 5a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5A

Growing SeasonZone 5a

Last frost ~May 10First frost ~Oct 1Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJUL

Start indoors Apr 12 · Transplant Apr 19 · First harvest Jun 3 · Wrap by Jun 24

Last spring frostMay 10

Start seeds indoorsApr 12

Transplant outApr 19

First harvestJun 3

Last harvestJun 24

Fall succession sowAug 6

First fall frostOct 1

Why these dates work in zone 5a

Zone 5a's last spring frost averages May 10 and first fall frost Oct 1 — about 144 frost-free days. Bok Choy tolerates light frost, so you can set plants out ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 4 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Aug 6 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does bok choy take to grow in zone 5a?

Bok Choy matures in about 45–60 days from transplanting. In zone 5a that means setting plants out around Apr 19 and first picking around Jun 3.

Will bok choy survive frost in zone 5a?

Yes — bok choy tolerates light frost. In zone 5a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around May 10) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 1).

Can I plant a second crop of bok choy in zone 5a?

Yes — in zone 5a there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 6 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full bok choy growing guide →