Blog

When to Plant Pac Choi in Glades County, FL

Glades County, Florida Zone 10a May

This month in Glades County, Florida

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Glades County, Florida.

Avg. last frost February 1
Avg. first frost December 19
Soil temp (4") 77°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.3 hrs

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Glades County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is February 1 and the first fall frost is December 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 321 days.

At an elevation of 434 feet, Glades County receives approximately 54.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 101°F, so Pac Choi may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Pac Choi will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pac Choi root diseases.

Glades County, FL (Zone 10a) Year-round
321 days
Last Spring Frost February 1
321 growing days
First Fall Frost December 19

Glades County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (249 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 25 Transplant: Jan 22 🍅 Harvest: Mar 5 – Apr 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (251 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 4 Transplant: Feb 1 🍅 Harvest: Mar 15 – Apr 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (228 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: Apr 12 – May 10

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 Glades County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–6.3) is more acidic than Pac Choi prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Glades County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Pac Choi will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.6%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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

9
successive plantings in your 321-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 25 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 24.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
1.2″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 3,559 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 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 6.5" 2.5" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
Mar 6.5" 2.9" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Apr 6.5" 2.7" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 3.5" 3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 6.5" 8.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 7.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 6.5" 7.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 6.5" 4.2" 2.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 2.3" 4.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 6.5" 2.3" 4.2" 🚿 Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Glades 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 ~1,223 GDD — county provides 8,291 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline — Glades County, FL

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 4 Jan 4 – Jan 18
Transplant Outdoors February 1 Feb 1 – Feb 15
Direct Sow January 11 Jan 11 – Feb 1
Harvest March 15 Mar 15 – Apr 12
Fall Sowing October 24 Oct 24 – Nov 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 10a

📆 Growing Season

321 days in Glades County

Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Glades County

Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after February 01 in Glades County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Glades County dries quickly — mulch Pac Choi with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 101°F in Glades County, provide afternoon shade for Pac Choi and water deeply in the morning.

Your generous 322.0-day season in Glades 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 Glades County, FL?

Glades County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of February 1. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Glades County, FL?

Glades County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is February 1 and first fall frost is December 19.

🌱

Your Glades County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Glades County (Zone 10a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Glades County, FL. 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.