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When to Plant Pac Choi in Caldwell County, TX

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.

Caldwell County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 27 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 277 days.

At an elevation of 3,482 feet, Caldwell County receives approximately 60.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, 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.

Caldwell County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
277 days
Last Spring Frost February 27
277 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1

Caldwell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (209 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 9 Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: Mar 27 – Apr 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (207 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – May 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (196 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – May 31

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,726 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Pac Choi needs ~831 GDD — county provides 4,865 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline โ€” Caldwell County, TX

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 23 Jan 23 โ€“ Feb 6
Transplant Outdoors February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 13
Direct Sow February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Mar 6
Fall Sowing September 22 Sep 22 โ€“ Oct 6
Harvest April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

277 days

Growing Tips for Caldwell 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 Caldwell County, TX?

Caldwell County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 27. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Caldwell County, TX?

Caldwell County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 27 and first fall frost is December 1.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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