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When to Plant Pac Choi in Bay County, FL

Pac choi (baby bok choy) is a compact variety of Chinese cabbage with tender leaves and crisp stems. It grows quickly and is ideal for containers and small spaces.

Bay County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 260 days.

At an elevation of 388 feet, Bay County receives approximately 50.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pac Choi during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Pac Choi will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pac Choi root diseases.

Bay County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
260 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
260 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Bay County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.2-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (192 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 19 Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 6 – May 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (190 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 16 – May 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (190 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jun 5

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
1.4″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 3,167 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Pac Choi needs ~831 GDD — county provides 4,550 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline โ€” Bay County, FL

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 โ€“ Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Direct Sow February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 12
Fall Sowing September 11 Sep 11 โ€“ Sep 25
Harvest April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 14

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

Days to Maturity

40โ€“55 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

260 days

Growing Tips for Bay County

Direct sow in spring or fall. Grows best in cool weather. Space 6 inches apart for baby pac choi. Harvest whole plants or cut outer leaves as needed.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pac Choi in Bay County, FL?

Bay County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bay County, FL?

Bay County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bay County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Bay County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.