When to plant bok choy in Leavenworth, WA

Plant bok choy in the garden in Leavenworth Apr 1 – May 6, either as seeds or as young plants started indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 5–19.

Easy Plant seeds or young plants

Why these dates

Leavenworth's typical last spring frost is May 10. 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

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.
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 1 – May 6, 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 Aug 5–19 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 Leavenworth, WA?

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

Is it too late to plant bok choy in Leavenworth?

The spring planting window runs through May 6. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 5 to August 19.

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

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 Leavenworth around the same time

Planting dates for bok choy in nearby areas

Wenatchee, WA Mar 20 – Apr 24
Omak and Okanogan, WA Apr 1 – May 6
Chelan, WA Mar 20 – Apr 24
Winthrop and Twisp, WA Apr 3 – May 8
Ellensburg, WA Apr 1 – May 6
Spokane, WA Apr 1 – May 6

Full planting calendar for Leavenworth · Bok choy in every city