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When to Plant Pac Choi in Dorchester 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.

Dorchester County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 248 days.

At an elevation of 107 feet, Dorchester County receives approximately 49.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, 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.

Dorchester County, SC (Zone 8b) Long season
248 days
Last Spring Frost March 10
248 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Dorchester County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (188 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 21 🍅 Harvest: Apr 4 – May 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (178 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: Apr 21 – May 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (180 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 16

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 452 gal / 100 sq ft
Pac Choi needs ~974 GDD — county provides 5,084 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline โ€” Dorchester County, SC

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 3 Feb 3 โ€“ Feb 17
Transplant Outdoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Direct Sow February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 17
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

248 days

Growing Tips for Dorchester 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 Dorchester County, SC?

Dorchester County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 10. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dorchester County, SC?

Dorchester County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 10 and first fall frost is November 13.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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