When to Plant Pac Choi in Traverse County, MN
May in Traverse County, Minnesota — your action list
Your garden in Traverse County, Minnesota is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
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Set out pac choi seedlings
Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Starting indoors: pac choi
- First harvests: pac choi
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.
Traverse County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.
At an elevation of 1,008 feet, Traverse County receives approximately 31.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Pac Choi to ensure they mature before fall.
Traverse County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.2
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Traverse County
How your county's soil matches Pac Choi's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.2) is within Pac Choi's preferred range (6.0–7.5).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Traverse County is excellent for Pac Choi — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). Annual compost additions will help Pac Choi.
How to Plant Pac Choi
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Pac Choi
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 12 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 14.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 6.5" | 3.1" | 3.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 6.5" | 4.1" | 2.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 6.5" | 3.8" | 2.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 6.5" | 3.3" | 3.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 6.5" | 2.5" | 4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 6.5" | 2.4" | 4.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Traverse 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 Planting Timeline — Traverse County, MN
Pac Choi Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 2 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Direct Sow | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 16 |
| Harvest | June 13 | Jun 13 – Jul 11 |
| Fall Sowing | July 14 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| 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: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 4b
📆 Growing Season
157 days in Traverse County
Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Traverse County
Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after May 02 in Traverse County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 157.0-day season in Traverse 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Pac Choi in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Pac Choi in Traverse County, MN?
Traverse County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Traverse County, MN?
Traverse County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 6.
Your Traverse County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Traverse County (Zone 4b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.