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When to Plant Pac Choi in Holmes County, OH

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.

Holmes County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 788 feet, Holmes County receives approximately 39.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pac Choi during the growing season.

Holmes County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Holmes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Jul 28

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.

Soil Compatibility in Holmes County

How your county's soil matches Pac Choi's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.3) is within Pac Choi's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Holmes County is excellent for Pac Choi โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.1%) โ€” Pac Choi will thrive.

How to Plant Pac Choi

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Pac Choi

4
successive plantings in your 162-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 02.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 690 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Pac Choi

Pac Choi needs approximately 1.5 inches of water per week (6.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Pac Choi Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 4.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 6.5" 4.4" 2.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 6.5" 4" 2.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 6.5" 3.7" 2.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.3" 3.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 2.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

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

Pac Choi Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Pac Choi needs ~653 GDD — county provides 2,227 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline โ€” Holmes County, OH

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 9
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 โ€“ Jul 11
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Aug 16

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 Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“55 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

162 days in Holmes County

Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Holmes County

Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after May 02 in Holmes County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 162.0-day season in Holmes County allows multiple plantings of Pac Choi. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Pac Choi in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Holmes County, OH?

Holmes County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Holmes County, OH?

Holmes County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Holmes County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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