Description
Botanical name
Brassica rapa nipposinica or japonica
Family
Brassicaceae
Spacing
9 per square foot in 3 rows of 3
Depth
Plant seeds 1 cm (½”) deep.
Requirements
Best in full sun, but can handle a bit of shade. pH around 6-6.5.
Germination
Seeds will sprout in 7-14 days.
Pests
Slugs may nibble young seedlings. Keep the garden free from debris, where these pests like to go during the day. Protect plants from flea beetles and cabbage moths with lightweight row cover, or insect netting.
Timing
Direct sow starting in mid-April. Cool-weather crop. Best soil temperature is 10-15°C (50-59°F) . Bok choy likes it under 18°C (65°F) so is best for spring and fall plantings. Transplanting is not recommended because the seedlings usually go into shock and do not grow well.
Growing
Thin seeds to one per spot. Very low-maintenance vegetable. Does not like the heat, so grow early in the spring, or as a late fall addition.
Harvest
45 days
Season
Cool, annual