Bok Choy in Zone 9a & 9b
Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
When to plant bok choy in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Bok Choy tolerates either.
| Start indoors | Jan 11–Jan 18 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 15–Feb 22 |
| Estimated harvest | Apr 6–Apr 13 (~50 days after planting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1 ft.

Bok choy is one of the fastest vegetables you can put in the ground, ready in under two months, and its crunchy white stalks and tender leaves work in everything from stir-fries to soups. It's also one of the quickest to ruin if you plant it at the wrong time of year.
How bok choy fits zone 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Bok Choy needs about 50 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
Where to buy bok choy seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing bok choy" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 9b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Bok Choy in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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