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When to Plant Pac Choi in Webster County, MS

Webster County, Mississippi Zone 8a May

What to do in May

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Webster County, Mississippi.

Avg. last frost March 23
Avg. first frost November 7
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Pick pac choi

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • 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.

Webster County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 229 days.

At an elevation of 135 feet, Webster County receives approximately 56.5 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.

Webster County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
229 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
229 growing days
First Fall Frost November 7
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Webster County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (160 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – May 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jun 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (158 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 21

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 Webster County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.2) is more acidic than Pac Choi prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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

6
successive plantings in your 229-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 13 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 29.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 945 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 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 5.5" 1" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 3.9" 2.6" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.9" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 5.4" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 6.2" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 4.6" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.9" 2.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 4.6" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Webster 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 4,522 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline — Webster County, MS

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 6
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 30
Harvest May 4 May 4 – Jun 1
Fall Sowing August 29 Aug 29 – Sep 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

229 days in Webster County

Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Webster County

Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after March 23 in Webster County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Webster 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 229.0-day season in Webster 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 Webster County, MS?

Webster County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Webster County, MS?

Webster County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 7.

🌱

Your Webster County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Webster County (Zone 8a). 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 Webster County, MS. 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.