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When to Plant Pac Choi in Mills 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.

Mills County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 234 days.

At an elevation of 4,208 feet, Mills County receives approximately 61.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pac Choi during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pac Choi root diseases.

Mills County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
234 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
234 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Mills County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (167 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – May 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (164 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jun 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (161 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jun 23

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
1.1″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 818 gal / 100 sq ft
Pac Choi needs ~831 GDD — county provides 4,095 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline โ€” Mills County, TX

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 September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
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 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 8a

Growing Season

234 days

Growing Tips for Mills 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 Mills County, TX?

Mills 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 Mills County, TX?

Mills County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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