Blog

When to Plant Pac Choi in Calhoun 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.

Calhoun County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 16 and the first fall frost is December 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 294 days.

At an elevation of 215 feet, Calhoun County receives approximately 59.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 99ยฐF, so Pac Choi may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pac Choi root diseases.

Calhoun County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
294 days
Last Spring Frost February 16
294 growing days
First Fall Frost December 7

Calhoun County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (241 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 26 Transplant: Jan 23 🍅 Harvest: Mar 6 – Apr 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (224 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 19 Transplant: Feb 16 🍅 Harvest: Mar 30 – Apr 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (215 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: Apr 21 – May 19

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.

Soil Compatibility in Calhoun County

How your county's soil matches Pac Choi's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.8) overlaps with Pac Choi's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Calhoun County is excellent for Pac Choi โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Pac Choi.

How to Plant Pac Choi

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Pac Choi

8
successive plantings in your 294-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 13 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 12.

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 1,714 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Pac Choi

Pac Choi needs approximately 1.5 inches of water per week (6.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Pac Choi Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 6.5" 2.2" 4.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Mar 6.5" 4.6" 1.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 6.5" 6.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 6.5" 8.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 6.5" 9.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 6.5" 7.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 6.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 6.5" 5.2" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.9" 2.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 6.5" 2.2" 4.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec 6.5" 1.9" 4.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Dec in Calhoun County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Pac Choi Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Pac Choi needs ~1,152 GDD — county provides 7,153 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline โ€” Calhoun County, TX

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 19 Jan 19 โ€“ Feb 2
Transplant Outdoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Direct Sow January 26 Jan 26 โ€“ Feb 16
Harvest March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 27
Fall Sowing October 12 Oct 12 โ€“ Oct 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“55 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

294 days in Calhoun County

Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Calhoun County

Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after February 16 in Calhoun County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 99ยฐF in Calhoun County, provide afternoon shade for Pac Choi and water deeply in the morning.

Your generous 295.0-day season in Calhoun County allows multiple plantings of Pac Choi. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Pac Choi in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pac Choi in Calhoun County, TX?

Calhoun County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 16. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Calhoun County, TX?

Calhoun County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 16 and first fall frost is December 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Calhoun County gardeners in Zone 9a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Calhoun County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.