Rainline Garden

When to plant bok choy in Burns, OR

Plant bok choy in the garden in Burns Apr 30 – Jun 4, either as seeds or as young plants started indoors Mar 26 – Apr 9. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 12–26.

Easy Plant seeds or young plants

Why these dates

Burns's typical last spring frost is June 11. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 6 weeks before that.

High desert and mountains. Central and high eastern Oregon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.

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 Mar 26 – Apr 9 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 Apr 30 – Jun 4, 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 Jul 12–26 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 Burns, OR?

Typically June 11. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 28. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Burns Municipal Airport.

Is it too late to plant bok choy in Burns?

The spring planting window runs through June 4. If you miss it, plant again for fall from July 12 to July 26.

When should I start bok choy from seed indoors in Burns?

March 26 to April 9, which is 5 to 3 weeks before the April 30 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Burns around the same time

Planting dates for bok choy in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Burns · Bok choy in every city