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When to Plant Pac Choi in Mitchell County, KS

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.

Mitchell County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 627 feet, Mitchell County receives approximately 34.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Pac Choi to ensure they mature before fall.

Mitchell County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Mitchell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jun 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 9

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,425 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Pac Choi needs ~618 GDD — county provides 2,405 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline โ€” Mitchell County, KS

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jun 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

185 days

Growing Tips for Mitchell 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 Mitchell County, KS?

Mitchell County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mitchell County, KS?

Mitchell County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Mitchell County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Mitchell County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.