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When to Plant Pac Choi in Aiken County, SC

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.

Aiken County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 230 days.

At an elevation of 86 feet, Aiken County receives approximately 48.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, 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.

Aiken County, SC (Zone 8a) Long season
230 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
230 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Aiken County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – May 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (160 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jun 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 18

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 325 gal / 100 sq ft
Pac Choi needs ~902 GDD — county provides 4,370 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline โ€” Aiken County, SC

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 30
Fall Sowing August 30 Aug 30 โ€“ Sep 13
Harvest May 4 May 4 โ€“ Jun 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
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 8a

Growing Season

230 days

Growing Tips for Aiken 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 Aiken County, SC?

Aiken County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Aiken County, SC?

Aiken County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 8.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Aiken County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Aiken County, SC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.