Blog

When to Plant Pac Choi in Perry County, IN

Perry County, Indiana Zone 6b May

What to do in May

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

Avg. last frost April 12
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 62°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: pac choi

    You're about 23 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

  2. Basket week: pac choi

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

Get ahead of June
  • First harvests: pac choi

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.

Perry County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 873 feet, Perry County receives approximately 31 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Pac Choi during the growing season.

Perry County, IN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Perry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jun 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 7

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 Perry County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–7.0) overlaps with Pac Choi's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Perry 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 excellent (4.6%) — Pac Choi will thrive.

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 191-day season

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

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 11.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
1.3″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,156 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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 2.7" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 3.4" 3.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 3.9" 2.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 3" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 2.3" 4.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Perry 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 ~831 GDD — county provides 3,342 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline — Perry County, IN

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 – Apr 26
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 19
Harvest May 24 May 24 – Jun 21
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 – Aug 25

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 · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

40–55 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

191 days in Perry County

Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Perry County

Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after April 12 in Perry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 191.0-day season in Perry 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 Perry County, IN?

Perry County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Perry County, IN?

Perry County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 20.

🌱

Your Perry County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Perry County (Zone 6b). 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 Perry County, IN. 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.