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When to Plant Pac Choi in Santa Rosa 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.

Santa Rosa County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 260 days.

At an elevation of 104 feet, Santa Rosa County receives approximately 55 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, 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.

Santa Rosa County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
260 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
260 growing days
First Fall Frost November 21

Santa Rosa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-5.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (189 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: Apr 12 – May 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (190 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – May 15
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
0.9″/week
You supply
1.3″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,948 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Pac Choi needs ~867 GDD — county provides 4,745 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline โ€” Santa Rosa County, FL

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 30 Jan 30 โ€“ Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Direct Sow February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 13
Fall Sowing September 12 Sep 12 โ€“ Sep 26
Harvest April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 15

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 Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa County, FL?

Santa Rosa County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Santa Rosa County, FL?

Santa Rosa County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.