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When to Plant Pac Choi in Lee 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.

Lee County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 229 days.

At an elevation of 325 feet, Lee County receives approximately 52.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pac Choi during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Pac Choi, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pac Choi root diseases.

Lee County, SC (Zone 8a) Long season
229 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
229 growing days
First Fall Frost November 7

Lee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (161 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – May 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jun 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jun 17

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,095 gal / 100 sq ft
Pac Choi needs ~974 GDD — county provides 4,694 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline โ€” Lee 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 29 Aug 29 โ€“ Sep 12
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

229 days

Growing Tips for Lee 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 Lee County, SC?

Lee 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 Lee County, SC?

Lee County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 7.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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