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When to Plant Pac Choi in Carbon County, PA

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.

Carbon County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.

At an elevation of 1,110 feet, Carbon County receives approximately 44.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Pac Choi to ensure they mature before fall.

Carbon County, PA (Zone 5b) Moderate season
176 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
176 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Carbon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jun 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 23

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
1.1″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 697 gal / 100 sq ft
Pac Choi needs ~618 GDD — county provides 2,288 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline โ€” Carbon County, PA

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 10
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Fall Sowing August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Aug 24
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Jul 5

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
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

176 days

Growing Tips for Carbon 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 Carbon County, PA?

Carbon County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carbon County, PA?

Carbon County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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