When to Plant Pac Choi in McNairy County, TN
Your May planting checklist for McNairy County, Tennessee
A quick May briefing for McNairy County, Tennessee gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Sow pac choi in trays indoors
Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.
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Start harvesting pac choi
Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
- 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.
McNairy County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 211 days.
At an elevation of 3,207 feet, McNairy County receives approximately 46 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Pac Choi during the growing season.
McNairy County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.4-7
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 McNairy County
How your county's soil matches Pac Choi's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.4–7.0) overlaps with Pac Choi's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in McNairy 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
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 03 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 19.
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 | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 6.5" | 4.3" | 2.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Apr | 6.5" | 3.2" | 3.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| May | 6.5" | 3.9" | 2.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 6.5" | 4.2" | 2.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 6.5" | 5" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 6.5" | 4.8" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 6.5" | 3.2" | 3.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 6.5" | 3.1" | 3.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Oct in McNairy 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 — McNairy County, TN
Pac Choi Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 24 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 31 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Direct Sow | March 17 | Mar 17 – Apr 7 |
| Harvest | May 12 | May 12 – Jun 9 |
| Fall Sowing | August 19 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
211 days in McNairy County
Growing Tips for Pac Choi in McNairy County
Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after March 31 in McNairy County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 211.0-day season in McNairy 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 McNairy County, TN?
McNairy County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is McNairy County, TN?
McNairy County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is October 28.
Your McNairy County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for McNairy County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.