When to Plant Pac Choi in USDA Zone 9a
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.
In Zone 9a, the average last spring frost is around February 10 and the first fall frost is around December 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 303 days.
Pac Choi Planting Timeline — Zone 9a
Where Is USDA Zone 9a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 9a. Click any state to see the Pac Choi planting schedule for that location.
Pac Choi Planting Calendar — Zone 9a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 13 | Jan 13 – Jan 27 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 10 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Direct Sow | January 20 | Jan 20 – Feb 10 |
| Fall Sowing | October 15 | Oct 15 – Oct 29 |
| Harvest | March 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 21 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| February | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | Harvest |
| April | Harvest |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 9a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 9a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
Water
High — keep soil consistently moist
Days to Maturity
40–55 days
Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Zone Temperature Range
20°F to 25°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
303 days (Zone 9a average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 15 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Growing Tips for Zone 9a
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
Level Up Your Garden
Saving Pac Choi Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Related Plants
Pac Choi in Other Zones
Pac Choi by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Alberta
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Manitoba
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Brunswick
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Rhode Island
- Saskatchewan
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Yukon
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Pac Choi in Zone 9a?
In Zone 9a, plan your Pac Choi planting around the average last frost date of February 10. Start seeds indoors around January 13. Direct sow outdoors around January 20. Transplant seedlings around February 10.
Can Pac Choi grow in Zone 9a?
Yes, Pac Choi can grow well in Zone 9a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 9a has a growing season of approximately 303 days, which is sufficient for Pac Choi (40-55 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Pac Choi in Zone 9a?
In Zone 9a, expect to harvest Pac Choi from March 24 – April 21. Pac Choi takes 40-55 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 9a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 9a is around February 10, and the first fall frost is around December 10. This gives a growing season of approximately 303 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Pac Choi?
Good companion plants for Pac Choi include Celery, Lettuce, Onion. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
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