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When to Plant Pac Choi in Pulaski County, IN

Pulaski County, Indiana Zone 5b May

May to-do list for Pulaski County, Indiana

A quick May briefing for Pulaski County, Indiana gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost April 25
Avg. first frost October 17
Soil temp (4") 58°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Start pac choi indoors

    Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.

Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • 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.

Pulaski County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 764 feet, Pulaski County receives approximately 31.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Pac Choi during the growing season.

Pulaski County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17
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Pulaski County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jun 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 16

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 Pulaski County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–6.9) overlaps with Pac Choi's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.4%) — 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 175-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 23 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 08.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,166 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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 3.5" 3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 3.5" 3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 2.1" 4.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Pulaski 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 ~653 GDD — county provides 2,406 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline — Pulaski County, IN

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 – May 9
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 – May 2
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 – Jul 4
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December
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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 5b

📆 Growing Season

175 days in Pulaski County

Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Pulaski County

Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after April 25 in Pulaski County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 175.0-day season in Pulaski 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 Pulaski County, IN?

Pulaski County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pulaski County, IN?

Pulaski County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 17.

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Your Pulaski County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Pulaski County (Zone 5b). 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 Pulaski 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.