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When to Plant Pac Choi in Jim Wells County, TX

Jim Wells County, Texas Zone 9a April

What to do in April

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

Avg. last frost February 13
Avg. first frost December 9
Soil temp (4") 55°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 12.7 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for pac choi

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

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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.

Jim Wells County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 299 days.

At an elevation of 4,949 feet, Jim Wells County receives approximately 65.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 101°F, so Pac Choi may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pac Choi root diseases.

Jim Wells County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
299 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
299 growing days
First Fall Frost December 9

Jim Wells County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (244 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 23 Transplant: Jan 20 🍅 Harvest: Mar 3 – Mar 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (229 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: Mar 27 – Apr 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (217 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: Apr 19 – May 17

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 Jim Wells County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.3) is within Pac Choi's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Jim Wells County is excellent for Pac Choi — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (2.0%). 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 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Pac Choi

9
successive plantings in your 299-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 15 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 14.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,872 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 6.5" 2.4" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Mar 6.5" 4.5" 2" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 6.5" 9.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 6.5" 9.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 6.5" 8.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 6.5" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 6.5" 3.9" 2.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 2.5" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 6.5" 1.6" 4.9" 🚿 Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Jim Wells 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 ~1,223 GDD — county provides 7,725 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline — Jim Wells County, TX

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 16 Jan 16 – Jan 30
Transplant Outdoors February 13 Feb 13 – Feb 27
Direct Sow January 23 Jan 23 – Feb 13
Harvest March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 24
Fall Sowing October 14 Oct 14 – Oct 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

299 days in Jim Wells County

Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Jim Wells County

Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after February 13 in Jim Wells County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 101°F in Jim Wells County, provide afternoon shade for Pac Choi and water deeply in the morning.

Your generous 300.0-day season in Jim Wells 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 Jim Wells County, TX?

Jim Wells County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jim Wells County, TX?

Jim Wells County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 9.

🌱

Your Jim Wells County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Jim Wells County (Zone 9a). 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 Jim Wells County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.