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When to Plant Pac Choi in Kendall County, TX

Kendall County, Texas Zone 8b May

Top priorities for Kendall County, Texas gardeners in May

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 9
Avg. first frost November 20
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for pac choi

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

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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.

Kendall County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 256 days.

At an elevation of 2,187 feet, Kendall County receives approximately 54.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 95°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.

Kendall County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
256 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
256 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Kendall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (187 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: Apr 11 – May 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (186 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: Apr 20 – May 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (178 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 16

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 Kendall County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.4) is within Pac Choi's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help 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

7
successive plantings in your 256-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 26 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 11.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,377 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 3.3" 3.2" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 6.5" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 6.5" 8.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 6.5" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 6.3" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 5.4" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.4" 3.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 1.9" 4.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Kendall 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 5,440 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline — Kendall County, TX

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 – Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 23
Direct Sow February 23 Feb 23 – Mar 16
Harvest April 20 Apr 20 – May 18
Fall Sowing September 11 Sep 11 – Sep 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

256 days in Kendall County

Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Kendall County

Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after March 09 in Kendall County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 256.0-day season in Kendall 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 Kendall County, TX?

Kendall County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kendall County, TX?

Kendall County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 20.

🌱

Your Kendall County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Kendall County (Zone 8b). 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 Kendall 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.