Rainline Garden

When to plant bok choy in Walla Walla, WA

Plant bok choy in the garden in Walla Walla Mar 20 – Apr 24, either as seeds or as young plants started indoors Feb 13–27. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 20 – Sep 3.

Easy Plant seeds or young plants

Why these dates

Walla Walla's typical last spring frost is March 27. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 20.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

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 13–27 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 Mar 20 – Apr 24, 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 20 – Sep 3 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 Walla Walla, WA?

Typically March 27. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 22. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Walla Walla Regional Airport.

Is it too late to plant bok choy in Walla Walla?

The spring planting window runs through April 24. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 20 to September 3.

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

February 13 to February 27, which is 5 to 3 weeks before the March 20 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Walla Walla around the same time

Planting dates for bok choy in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Walla Walla · Bok choy in every city