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When to Plant Pac Choi in Yalobusha County, MS

Yalobusha County, Mississippi Zone 8a May

Top priorities for Yalobusha County, Mississippi gardeners in May

Here's what deserves your attention in Yalobusha County, Mississippi this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 8a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost March 30
Avg. first frost October 31
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Get pac choi seeds going inside

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

  2. Start harvesting pac choi

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

June prep starts now
  • 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.

Yalobusha County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 66 feet, Yalobusha County receives approximately 58.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 88°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.

Yalobusha County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
215 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Yalobusha County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – May 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jun 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jun 25

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 Yalobusha County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.5) is more acidic than Pac Choi prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Yalobusha 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

6
successive plantings in your 215-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 06 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 22.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 676 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 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 5" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 5.3" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 5.6" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 5.5" 1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 6.5" 4.4" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.7" 2.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Oct in Yalobusha 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 ~760 GDD — county provides 3,440 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline — Yalobusha County, MS

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 – Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 – Apr 6
Harvest May 11 May 11 – Jun 8
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 – Sep 5

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 Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
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: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

215 days in Yalobusha County

Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Yalobusha County

Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after March 30 in Yalobusha County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Yalobusha County's clay soil (27% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Pac Choi. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Your generous 215.0-day season in Yalobusha 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 Yalobusha County, MS?

Yalobusha County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Yalobusha County, MS?

Yalobusha County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is October 31.

🌱

Your Yalobusha County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Yalobusha 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 Yalobusha 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.