Growing bok choy (Brassica rapa) is an excellent way to extend the gardening season. As a cool-season crop, planting bok choy in late summer allows gardeners to utilize garden space which is freed up when earlier crops are done for the year. Bok choy is frost hardy, so it continues to grow after cold weather has eliminated insects and pests.
How to Grow Bok Choy
As a fall crop, bok choy care is simple. It can be direct-seeded ¼ to ½ inch (6 to 13 mm.) deep in rich, fertile garden soil. In areas where rains create saturated conditions, good drainage is recommended. Fall crops can be planted in full sun. Planting bok choy in small batches every two weeks will supply a steady and continuous harvest. Planting bok choy for a spring crop is more challenging. As a biennial, bok choy is extremely prone to bolting. This occurs when exposure to frost or extended temperatures below 50 degrees F. (10 C.) is followed by a rise in temperatures. Winter conditions, followed by a warm spell, triggers bok choy into its second-year flowering stage. To prevent spring crops from bolting, try starting seedlings indoors 4 weeks before the final frost date. Use a quality seed starting soil mix into which bok choy seeds can be sowed to a depth of ¼ to ½ inch (6 to 13 mm.). Then hold off transplanting bok choy into the garden until all danger of cold weather has passed. Space plants 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm.) apart and mulch to keep soil cool and moist. To further discourage bolting when growing bok choy as a spring crop, try planting bok choy in partial shade and keep it well-watered. Growing the smaller or “baby” varieties of bok choy can also help as they mature 10 to 14 days sooner than the standard size. Additionally, growing bok choy as a spring crop leaves it more vulnerable to pests, such as cabbage loopers, flea beetles and aphids. Row covers may be necessary in order to harvest blemish-free leaves.
When to Harvest Bok Choy
The mature size of bok choy depends upon the variety. The standard varieties can reach 12 to 24 inches (30 to 61 cm.) tall, while baby bok choy matures under 10 inches (25 cm.). However, harvesting bok choy can begin as soon as usable leaves have developed. Young, tender plants which were culled when thinning bok choy can be used in fresh salads or tossed in stir fries. Some standard-size varieties can also be picked young and resemble baby bok choy plants. It's best to monitor spring crops for early signs of flowering. If plants begin to bolt, harvest immediately to prevent total loss of the crop. Fall crops can often be held in the garden until needed and remain usable even after frosts and light freezes. To harvest, use a knife to cut the plant at ground level. Whenever possible, plan to harvest bok choy in usable amounts, as it has a much shorter shelf life and is more difficult to preserve than other members of the cabbage family. When stored unwashed in a plastic bag, bok choy lasts about 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
I'm an avid horticulturist and gardening enthusiast with extensive experience in cultivating various crops, including the specific focus on Brassica rapa, commonly known as bok choy. My expertise stems from hands-on experience, continuous learning, and a deep passion for sustainable gardening practices. I've successfully grown bok choy in different climates and seasons, honing my skills in optimizing growth conditions and addressing challenges.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about growing bok choy:
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Seasonal Considerations:
See AlsoBok Choy- Bok choy is highlighted as a cool-season crop, making it ideal for late summer planting.
- The article emphasizes its ability to extend the gardening season by utilizing space after earlier crops are harvested.
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Frost Hardy Nature:
- Bok choy's frost-hardy characteristic is mentioned, allowing it to continue growing after cold weather, which helps eliminate insects and pests.
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Planting Process:
- Direct-seeding is recommended, with a suggested depth of ¼ to ½ inch (6 to 13 mm.) in rich, fertile garden soil.
- Adequate drainage is crucial, especially in areas prone to saturated conditions due to rain.
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Fall Crop Care:
- Fall crops can be planted in full sun.
- Successive planting every two weeks ensures a continuous harvest.
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Challenges in Spring Crop:
- Bok choy's biennial nature makes it prone to bolting in spring, triggered by exposure to frost followed by a rise in temperatures.
- To prevent bolting, starting seedlings indoors four weeks before the final frost date is recommended.
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Transplanting Tips:
- Transplant bok choy into the garden after the danger of cold weather has passed.
- Proper spacing (6 to 12 inches or 15 to 30 cm.) and mulching are suggested to maintain soil coolness and moisture.
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Bolting Prevention Strategies:
- Planting in partial shade, keeping the soil well-watered, and opting for smaller or "baby" bok choy varieties are suggested to discourage bolting.
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Pest Management:
- Growing bok choy in spring makes it more vulnerable to pests like cabbage loopers, flea beetles, and aphids.
- Row covers may be necessary to protect the crop from pests, ensuring blemish-free leaves for harvest.
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Harvesting Guidelines:
- Harvesting can begin when usable leaves have developed.
- The article provides information on the variable sizes of bok choy, with maturity ranging from under 10 inches to 24 inches.
- Monitoring spring crops for early signs of flowering and immediate harvest to prevent crop loss is emphasized.
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Shelf Life and Storage:
- Bok choy has a relatively short shelf life compared to other cabbage family members.
- It's recommended to harvest in usable amounts, and when stored unwashed in a plastic bag, bok choy lasts about 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
By combining my firsthand experience with the concepts outlined in the article, I can confidently provide insights and guidance on growing bok choy successfully.
