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When to Plant Pac Choi in Cheyenne County, CO

Cheyenne County, Colorado Zone 6a May

Your May planting checklist for Cheyenne County, Colorado

May is a pivotal month for Cheyenne County, Colorado gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost May 2
Avg. first frost October 11
Soil temp (4") 36°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Plant out pac choi

    Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.

June will be here before you know it — start on
  • Starting indoors: pac choi
  • First harvests: pac choi

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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.

Cheyenne County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 7,824 feet, Cheyenne County receives approximately 21.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Pac Choi during the growing season.

Cheyenne County, CO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11
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Cheyenne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 11 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Jul 25

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 Cheyenne County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.8) overlaps with Pac Choi's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Cheyenne County is excellent for Pac Choi — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Pac Choi is a heavy drinker but your soil drains very quickly. Mulch heavily and consider drip irrigation.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Pac Choi.

How to Plant Pac Choi

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Pac Choi

4
successive plantings in your 162-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 02.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
1.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,418 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 6.5" 2.6" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 6.5" 1.6" 4.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 6.5" 1.6" 4.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 2.2" 4.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 1.6" 4.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 2.1" 4.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Cheyenne County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — every day above 50°F 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 ~689 GDD — county provides 2,349 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline — Cheyenne County, CO

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 – May 16
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 – May 9
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 – Jul 11
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 – Aug 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

40–55 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

162 days in Cheyenne County

Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Cheyenne County

Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after May 02 in Cheyenne County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 162.0-day season in Cheyenne 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.

Cheyenne County receives only 21" of rain annually. Pac Choi needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Cheyenne County, CO?

Cheyenne County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cheyenne County, CO?

Cheyenne County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 11.

🌱

Your Cheyenne County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Cheyenne County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Cheyenne County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.