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When to Plant Pac Choi in Lowndes County, GA

Lowndes County, Georgia Zone 9a May

What to do in May

Each item below is timed to Lowndes County, Georgia's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 3
Avg. first frost November 26
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Basket week: pac choi

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

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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.

Lowndes County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 268 days.

At an elevation of 396 feet, Lowndes County receives approximately 57.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Pac Choi may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Pac Choi, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pac Choi root diseases.

Lowndes County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
268 days
Last Spring Frost March 3
268 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Lowndes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (200 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 22 Transplant: Feb 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 2 – Apr 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (198 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: Apr 14 – May 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (198 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jun 4

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 Lowndes County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.5) overlaps with Pac Choi's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

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 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Pac Choi

8
successive plantings in your 268-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 02 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 01.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,432 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 5.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 5.6" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 3.9" 2.6" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 4.5" 2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.8" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 5.7" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 5.2" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 4.6" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 4.4" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Lowndes 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 ~1,081 GDD — county provides 6,097 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline — Lowndes County, GA

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 3 Feb 3 – Feb 17
Transplant Outdoors March 3 Mar 3 – Mar 17
Direct Sow February 10 Feb 10 – Mar 3
Harvest April 14 Apr 14 – May 12
Fall Sowing October 1 Oct 1 – Oct 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

40–55 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

268 days in Lowndes County

Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Lowndes County

Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after March 03 in Lowndes County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Lowndes County's clay soil (27% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Pac Choi. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

With summer highs reaching 97°F in Lowndes County, provide afternoon shade for Pac Choi and water deeply in the morning.

Your generous 268.0-day season in Lowndes 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 Lowndes County, GA?

Lowndes County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 3. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lowndes County, GA?

Lowndes County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 3 and first fall frost is November 26.

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Your Lowndes County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Lowndes County (Zone 9a). 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 Lowndes County, GA. 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.