Rainline Garden

When to plant bok choy in Aberdeen and Hoquiam, WA

Plant bok choy in the garden in Aberdeen and Hoquiam Mar 25 – Apr 29, either as seeds or as young plants started indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 20 – Sep 3.

Easy Plant seeds or young plants

Why these dates

Aberdeen and Hoquiam's typical last spring frost is March 30. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. On the coast, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 25.

Coast. Mild winters but cool, foggy summers. Frost is rarely the problem; warmth is. Pick early, cool-tolerant varieties of tomatoes and squash.

Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Spacing
6 to 10 inches apart
Planting depth
¼ inch deep
Frost
Handles light frost
First harvest
About 45 days after planting

Step by step

  1. Start seeds indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4 in trays or small pots under a grow light or in your sunniest window. Or skip this step and buy young plants (starts) at a garden center.
  2. Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
  3. Plant them in the garden Mar 25 – Apr 29, 6 to 10 inches apart. If you plant seeds instead, sow them ¼ inch deep.
  4. Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
  5. Plant again Aug 20 – Sep 3 for a fall harvest.
  6. Harvest: Cut baby bok choy at about 6 inches tall, or whole heads at full size. Harvest before a flower stalk appears.

Varieties that do well here

  • Joi Choi
  • Toy Choy (baby size)
  • Mei Qing Choi

Watch out for

Flea beetles and slugs chew the leaves. Row cover and iron phosphate slug bait handle both.

Bolts as days lengthen, so get spring sowings in early. Fall crops are the easiest.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Aberdeen and Hoquiam, WA?

Typically March 30. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 25. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Hoquiam Bowerman Airport.

Is it too late to plant bok choy in Aberdeen and Hoquiam?

The spring planting window runs through April 29. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 20 to September 3.

When should I start bok choy from seed indoors in Aberdeen and Hoquiam?

February 18 to March 4, which is 5 to 3 weeks before the March 25 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Aberdeen and Hoquiam around the same time

Planting dates for bok choy in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Aberdeen and Hoquiam · Bok choy in every city