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When to Plant Pac Choi in Union County, GA

Union County, Georgia Zone 7b May

What to do in May

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Union County, Georgia this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 11
Avg. first frost October 23
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Get pac choi seeds going inside

    A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.

  2. Harvest pac choi as they ripen

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

June will be here before you know it — start on
  • 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.

Union County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.

At an elevation of 175 feet, Union County receives approximately 61.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Pac Choi during the growing season. 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.

Union County, GA (Zone 7b) Moderate season
195 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
195 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Union County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 12

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 Union County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–6.2) overlaps with Pac Choi's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). 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

5
successive plantings in your 195-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 29 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 14.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.3″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 308 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 6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 4.5" 2" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 5.3" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 5.1" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 5.7" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 6.2" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 4.8" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 5.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Union 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 ~938 GDD — county provides 3,851 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline — Union County, GA

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 – Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 18
Harvest May 23 May 23 – Jun 20
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 – Aug 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

40–55 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

195 days in Union County

Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Union County

Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after April 11 in Union County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Union County's clay soil (28% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Pac Choi. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Your generous 195.0-day season in Union 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 Union County, GA?

Union County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Union County, GA?

Union County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 23.

🌱

Your Union County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Union County (Zone 7b). 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 Union 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.