Blog

When to plant Pac Choi in Sharpes, FL

Plant Pac Choi in Sharpes after January 19; the prime window is December 29–January 19. A second sowing from October 25 to November 8 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Pac Choi in Sharpes, FL

Brevard County, Florida Zone 10a July

Your July gardening checklist

Welcome to July in Zone 10a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost January 19
Avg. first frost December 20
Soil temp (4") 93°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Plan the fall garden

    Make a planting map for August. Tomatoes, peppers, brassicas, lettuce, root crops all go in over the next 8 weeks. Soil amendments and irrigation prep happen now.

  2. Keep heat-survivor crops productive

    Daily harvest of okra and southern peas keeps plants producing. Let pods over-mature and the plant stops setting new fruit.

  3. Watch for hurricane prep season

    August-October is hurricane season. Stake young trees, secure rain barrels, and plan how to protect tender transplants from high winds.

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.

Sharpes, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 19 and the first fall frost is December 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 335 days.

At an elevation of 491 feet, Brevard County receives approximately 52.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 104°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.

Sharpes, FL (Zone 10a) Year-round
335 days
Last Spring Frost January 19
335 growing days
First Fall Frost December 20

Sharpes Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.8-5.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Pac Choi Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (268 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 16 Transplant: Jan 13 🍅 Harvest: Feb 24 – Mar 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (265 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 22 Transplant: Jan 19 🍅 Harvest: Mar 2 – Mar 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (240 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 20 Transplant: Feb 17 🍅 Harvest: Mar 31 – Apr 28

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 Sharpes

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.8–5.9) is more acidic than Pac Choi prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Brevard 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

10
successive plantings in your 335-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 26 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 25.

Pac Choi Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
1.6″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 4,634 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 6.5" 2.2" 4.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Feb 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Mar 6.5" 3.5" 3" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 2.5" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 3.8" 2.7" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 6.5" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 6.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 6.5" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 6.5" 5" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 1.9" 4.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 6.5" 2.3" 4.2" 🚿 Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jan–Dec in Brevard 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 ~1,330 GDD — county provides 9,408 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline — Sharpes, FL

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 22 Dec 22 – Jan 5
Transplant Outdoors January 19 Jan 19 – Feb 2
Direct Sow December 29 Dec 29 – Jan 19
Harvest March 2 Mar 2 – Mar 30
Fall Sowing October 25 Oct 25 – Nov 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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

335 days in Brevard County

Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Sharpes

Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after January 19 in Brevard County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Brevard 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 104°F in Brevard County, provide afternoon shade for Pac Choi and water deeply in the morning.

Your generous 336.0-day season in Brevard 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 →

When should I plant Pac Choi in Sharpes, FL?

In Sharpes, FL, plant Pac Choi after the last frost (around January 19) and before the first frost (around December 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Sharpes, FL for Pac Choi?

Sharpes sits in USDA Zone 10a. Pac Choi grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Pac Choi grow in Sharpes's climate?

Yes — Pac Choi grows well in Sharpes's temperate climate. Sharpes averages a 336-day frost-free season, with last frost around January 19 and first frost around December 20.

🌱

Your Brevard County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Brevard 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 Brevard County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.