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Bok choy plants growing in a garden bed
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When to plant bok choy in Madras, OR

Plant bok choy in the garden in Madras Apr 20 – May 25, either as seeds or as young plants started indoors Mar 16–30. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 9–23.

Easy Plant seeds or young plants

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

Why these dates

Madras's typical last spring frost is May 19. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the high desert and mountains, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about April 20.

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.

How to grow bok choy in Madras

  1. Start seeds indoors Mar 16–30 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 20 – May 25, 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 9–23 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.

Key numbers

Growing notes

What makes the difference in Northwest gardens, in plain language.

Soil and feeding

Bok choy grows fast and wants rich, moist soil with compost and a pH of about 6.0 to 7.5. Leafy crops like it need nitrogen, so mix in a balanced fertilizer at planting. Keep the soil evenly moist; dry soil makes stems stringy and pushes plants toward flowering. Space according to the size you want: closer for baby bok choy like Toy Choy, wider for full heads like Joi Choi.

What makes bok choy bolt

Two things push bok choy to flower: long days and a spell of chilly weather while plants are young. A week or more of nights below about 50°F after transplanting can trigger bolting later, even if the plant looks fine. That's why spring crops in the Northwest are tricky and why the guide calls fall crops the easiest. Sow or transplant spring bok choy once the worst cold is past, protect it with row cover, and harvest early. For fall, sow in mid to late summer so plants mature in shortening, cool days. Mei Qing Choi is known for holding well.

Pests and harvest

Flea beetles riddle young leaves in spring, and slugs hide in the stems during wet Northwest weather. Row cover from sowing day and iron phosphate slug bait handle both, and cabbage worms are kept out by the same cover. Harvest baby plants at about 6 inches tall, or cut full heads at the base before a flower stalk appears. You can also pick outer leaves over time. Bok choy keeps about a week in the fridge in a bag.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Madras, OR?

Typically May 19. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 7. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Madras.

Is it too late to plant bok choy in Madras?

The spring planting window runs through May 25. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 9 to August 23.

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

March 16 to March 30, which is 5 to 3 weeks before the April 20 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Why is my bok choy bolting?

Long spring days and chilly nights after planting both trigger flowering. Plant in late summer for fall harvest, or wait for milder spring weather and harvest young. Steady watering helps too.

What is eating holes in my bok choy?

Small round holes are usually flea beetles; bigger ragged holes and slime trails mean slugs. Row cover keeps out flea beetles, and iron phosphate bait controls slugs safely.

Can I harvest bok choy more than once?

Yes. Pick outer leaves as needed, or cut the whole plant an inch above the soil and it may regrow smaller leaves. Harvest before it starts to flower.

Also plant in Madras around the same time

Planting dates for bok choy in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Madras · Bok choy in every city