Rainline Garden

When to plant bok choy in Ellensburg, WA

Plant bok choy in the garden in Ellensburg Apr 1 – May 6, either as seeds or as young plants started indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 12–26.

Easy Plant seeds or young plants

Why these dates

Ellensburg's typical last spring frost is April 28. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Inland Northwest, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about April 1.

Inland Northwest. Higher, colder interior valleys. Cold springs and an earlier fall mean a shorter season; quick-maturing varieties pay off.

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 25 – Mar 11 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 1 – May 6, 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 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 Ellensburg, WA?

Typically April 28. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 12. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Ellensburg Bowers Field.

Is it too late to plant bok choy in Ellensburg?

The spring planting window runs through May 6. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 12 to August 26.

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

February 25 to March 11, which is 5 to 3 weeks before the April 1 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Ellensburg around the same time

Planting dates for bok choy in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Ellensburg · Bok choy in every city