When to Plant Pac Choi in Mellette County, SD
May to-do list for Mellette County, South Dakota
Welcome to May in Zone 5a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Harden off and plant pac choi
Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.
To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
- 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.
Mellette County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.
At an elevation of 1,123 feet, Mellette County receives approximately 33.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Pac Choi to ensure they mature before fall.
Mellette County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.3-7.3
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 Mellette County
How your county's soil matches Pac Choi's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.3–7.3) is within Pac Choi's preferred range (6.0–7.5).
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Mellette County is excellent for Pac Choi — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). 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 Aug 10 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 26.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 6.5" | 4.3" | 2.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 6.5" | 2.5" | 4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 6.5" | 2.9" | 3.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 6.5" | 3.6" | 2.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 6.5" | 2.4" | 4.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 6.5" | 3.1" | 3.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Mellette 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 — Mellette County, SD
Pac Choi Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 6 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 11 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Direct Sow | April 27 | Apr 27 – May 18 |
| Harvest | June 22 | Jun 22 – Jul 20 |
| Fall Sowing | July 26 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| 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 5a
📆 Growing Season
146 days in Mellette County
Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Mellette County
Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after May 11 in Mellette County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 146.0-day season in Mellette 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 Mellette County, SD?
Mellette County is in Zone 5a 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 Mellette County, SD?
Mellette County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 4.
Your Mellette County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Mellette County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.