When to plant bok choy in Lakeview, OR

Plant bok choy in the garden in Lakeview Apr 23 – May 28, either as seeds or as young plants started indoors Mar 19 – Apr 2. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 23 – Aug 6.

Easy Plant seeds or young plants

Why these dates

Lakeview's typical last spring frost is June 4. 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

Start seeds indoors Mar 19 – Apr 2 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.
Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
Plant them in the garden Apr 23 – May 28, 6 to 10 inches apart. If you plant seeds instead, sow them ¼ inch deep.
Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
Plant again Jul 23 – Aug 6 for a fall harvest.
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 Lakeview, OR?

Typically June 4. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 22. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Lakeview.

Is it too late to plant bok choy in Lakeview?

The spring planting window runs through May 28. If you miss it, plant again for fall from July 23 to August 6.

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

March 19 to April 2, which is 5 to 3 weeks before the April 23 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Lakeview around the same time

Planting dates for bok choy in nearby areas

Bend and Redmond, OR Apr 28 – Jun 2
Klamath Falls, OR Apr 28 – Jun 2
Burns, OR Apr 30 – Jun 4
Prineville, OR Apr 20 – May 25
Madras, OR Apr 20 – May 25
Baker City, OR Apr 20 – May 25

Full planting calendar for Lakeview · Bok choy in every city