When to Plant Pac Choi in Griggs County, ND
May in Griggs County, North Dakota — your action list
Welcome to May in Zone 4a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Time to transplant pac choi
Frost risk is low now in Griggs County, North Dakota. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.
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Put pac choi seeds straight in the ground
Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.
Get ahead of June
- 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.
Griggs County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.
At an elevation of 660 feet, Griggs County receives approximately 21.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Pac Choi to ensure they mature before fall.
Griggs County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-7.8
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 Griggs County
How your county's soil matches Pac Choi's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.7–7.8) overlaps with Pac Choi's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Griggs 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 06 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 08.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 6.5" | 3" | 3.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 6.5" | 3.5" | 3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 6.5" | 2.7" | 3.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 6.5" | 2.4" | 4.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 6.5" | 2" | 4.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Griggs 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 — Griggs County, ND
Pac Choi Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 30 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 11 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Direct Sow | May 4 | May 4 – May 25 |
| Harvest | June 22 | Jun 22 – Jul 20 |
| Fall Sowing | July 8 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| 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 · 2-3 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
40–55 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 4a
📆 Growing Season
142 days in Griggs County
Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Griggs County
Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after May 11 in Griggs County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 142.0-day season in Griggs 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.
Griggs County receives only 21" of rain annually. Pac Choi needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
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 Griggs County, ND?
Griggs County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Griggs County, ND?
Griggs County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is September 30.
Your Griggs County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Griggs County (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.