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When to Plant Pac Choi in Tarrant County, TX

Tarrant County, Texas Zone 8b June

June to-do list for Tarrant County, Texas

Each item below is timed to Tarrant County, Texas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 18
Avg. first frost November 12
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.1 hrs

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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.

Tarrant County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 239 days.

At an elevation of 3,487 feet, Tarrant County receives approximately 63.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Pac Choi during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Pac Choi, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pac Choi root diseases.

Tarrant County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
239 days
Last Spring Frost March 18
239 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Tarrant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.3-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Pac Choi Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (177 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – May 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (169 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – May 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (166 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 21

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 Tarrant County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.3–8.1) is more alkaline than Pac Choi prefers (6.0–7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Heavy clay soil (45% clay) in Tarrant County compacts easily and drains slowly. Amend with compost and avoid working soil when wet.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). 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 239-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 18 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 03.

Pac Choi Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 832 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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 3.8" 2.7" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 6.5" 9.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 6.5" 10.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 6.5" 7.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 8.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 6.5" 5.5" 1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 2.2" 4.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Tarrant 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 ~902 GDD — county provides 4,541 GDD Excellent fit

Pac Choi Planting Timeline — Tarrant County, TX

Pac Choi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 25
Harvest April 29 Apr 29 – May 27
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 – Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors 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: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

239 days in Tarrant County

Growing Tips for Pac Choi in Tarrant County

Direct sow Pac Choi outdoors after March 18 in Tarrant County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Tarrant County's clay soil (45% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Pac Choi. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Your generous 239.0-day season in Tarrant 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 Tarrant County, TX?

Tarrant County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 18. Plan your Pac Choi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tarrant County, TX?

Tarrant County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 18 and first fall frost is November 12.

🌱

Your Tarrant County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Tarrant 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 Tarrant County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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