When to plant bok choy in Iowa
Iowa spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant bok choy shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about March 22 in Fort Madison to April 10 in Spencer — below are local dates for 42 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | March 28 – April 18 |
| Cedar Rapids | 5b | April 27 | October 11 | April 6 – April 27 |
| Davenport | 5b | April 19 | October 22 | March 29 – April 19 |
| Sioux City | 5a | April 29 | October 7 | April 8 – April 29 |
| Iowa City | 5b | April 21 | October 18 | March 31 – April 21 |
| Ankeny | 5b | April 23 | October 15 | April 2 – April 23 |
| West Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | March 28 – April 18 |
| Ames | 5b | April 26 | October 8 | April 5 – April 26 |
Bok Choy in Iowa: FAQ
When can I plant bok choy in Iowa?
Across Iowa, the time to transplant bok choy spans roughly March 22 in Fort Madison to April 10 in Spencer, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the bok choy planting date vary across Iowa?
Yes. Iowa publishes 42 cities with their own frost dates, so the right bok choy planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does bok choy take to grow in Iowa?
Bok Choy takes about 45–60 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
Never miss a window in your area
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to your frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.