When to Plant Pac Choi in Callaway County, MO
Your May planting checklist for Callaway County, Missouri
Your Callaway County, Missouri garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.
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Time to start pac choi inside
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
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Bring in the pac choi
Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- 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.
Callaway County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.
At an elevation of 1,243 feet, Callaway County receives approximately 34.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Pac Choi during the growing season.
Callaway County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.6-6.6
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 Callaway County
How your county's soil matches Pac Choi's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.6–6.6) overlaps with Pac Choi's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Callaway County is excellent for Pac Choi — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Pac Choi.
How to Plant Pac Choi
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Pac Choi
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 01 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 17.
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 | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 6.5" | 3.5" | 3" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 6.5" | 3.8" | 2.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 6.5" | 3.9" | 2.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 6.5" | 4.1" | 2.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 6.5" | 3.5" | 3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 6.5" | 3.3" | 3.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 6.5" | 2.9" | 3.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Callaway 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 — Callaway County, MO
Pac Choi Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Direct Sow | March 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 17 |
| Harvest | May 22 | May 22 – Jun 19 |
| Fall Sowing | August 17 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| 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
199 days in Callaway County
Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Callaway County
Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after April 10 in Callaway County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 199.0-day season in Callaway 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 Callaway County, MO?
Callaway County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Callaway County, MO?
Callaway County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 26.
Your Callaway County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Callaway 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.