When to Plant:
Spring: Direct sow seeds outdoors 2-4 weeks before your average last frost date. Bok Choy is hardy and can handle a light spring frost. Planting early is key to harvesting before the summer heat arrives.
Fall (Recommended): For the most reliable and flavorful harvest, direct sow in late summer or early fall, approximately 6-8 weeks before your average first fall frost. The plants will mature during the cool, shortening days of autumn, which prevents bolting.
Succession Planting: Sow small batches every 10-14 days during your cool planting window for a steady, continuous harvest.
Where to Plant:
Sunlight: Bok Choy prefers full sun (6+ hours) during cool weather. If you are growing in warmer conditions (late spring or in southern zones), planting in a spot with partial afternoon shade can help keep the plants cool and delay bolting.
Soil: Plant in fertile, loose, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Amend your planting bed with 2-3 inches of aged compost or well-rotted manure before seeding.
Soil pH: Prefers a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
How to Plant:
Depth: Plant seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.
Spacing: Sow seeds 1-2 inches apart.
Rows: Space rows 18-24 inches apart to allow for good air circulation and room to harvest.
Germination: Seeds sprout quickly, often within 4-10 days, in cool, moist soil. Keep the seedbed consistently watered.
Growing and Care:
Thinning: Once seedlings are 2-3 inches tall and have their first true leaves, thin them to stand 6-8 inches apart. Use the thinnings as delicious "baby greens" in salads.
Watering: This is critical. Bok Choy has a shallow root system and requires consistent, even moisture. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Drought stress will trigger bolting.
Mulching: Apply a 2-inch layer of organic mulch (such as straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings) around the plants to retain soil moisture, keep roots cool, and suppress weeds.
Fertilizing: As a fast-growing leafy green, Bok Choy is a heavy feeder. Provide a nitrogen-rich liquid fertilizer (like fish emulsion or compost tea) every 2-3 weeks to promote lush, tender growth.
Harvesting:
Baby Leaf: You can harvest individual outer leaves at any time (a "cut-and-come-again" method) once they are 3-4 inches tall.
Full Head: Harvest the entire head at 40-50 days, when the stalks are thick, white, and firm. Cut the entire plant off at the soil line with a sharp knife.
Timing: Harvest promptly. Once a central flower stalk begins to emerge from the center, the plant is bolting, and the leaves will become tough and bitter.
