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When to Plant Pac Choi in Hemphill County, TX

Hemphill County, Texas Zone 7a May

May to-do list for Hemphill County, Texas

May is a pivotal month for Hemphill County, Texas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 15
Avg. first frost October 23
Soil temp (4") 60°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Fire up the seed-starting tray: pac choi

    A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.

  2. It's harvest week for pac choi

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

Before June arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

Hemphill County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 3,231 feet, Hemphill County receives approximately 53.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Pac Choi may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Pac Choi will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pac Choi root diseases.

Hemphill County, TX (Zone 7a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23
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Hemphill County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.3-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jun 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 10

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 Hemphill County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.3–8.7) is more alkaline than Pac Choi prefers (6.0–7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Hemphill County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Pac Choi will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.1%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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

5
successive plantings in your 191-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 29 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 14.

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 678 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 1.7" 4.8" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 1.2" 5.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 6.5" 1.9" 4.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 6.5" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 11.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 6.5" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 6.5" 4.9" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Hemphill 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 ~1,009 GDD — county provides 4,058 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline — Hemphill County, TX

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 22
Harvest May 27 May 27 – Jun 24
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 – Aug 28

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December
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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_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

191 days in Hemphill County

Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Hemphill County

Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after April 15 in Hemphill County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Hemphill County dries quickly — mulch Pac Choi with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Your generous 191.0-day season in Hemphill 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 Hemphill County, TX?

Hemphill County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hemphill County, TX?

Hemphill County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 23.

🌱

Your Hemphill County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Hemphill County (Zone 7a). 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 Hemphill County, TX. 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.