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When to Plant Pac Choi in Fayette County, IA

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.

Fayette County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 153 days.

At an elevation of 1,228 feet, Fayette County receives approximately 41.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Pac Choi to ensure they mature before fall.

Fayette County, IA (Zone 4b) Moderate season
153 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
153 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Fayette County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Pac Choi

Pac Choi needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Pac Choi Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 4.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 2.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Fayette County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Pac Choi Planting Timeline โ€” Fayette County, IA

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 19
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Jul 14
Fall Sowing July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Jul 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“55 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

153 days in Fayette County

Growing Tips for Fayette 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pac Choi in Fayette County, IA?

Fayette County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fayette County, IA?

Fayette County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fayette County gardeners in Zone 4b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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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 Fayette County, IA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.