Bok choy, also known as Pak choi, is a type of Chinese cabbage belonging to the Brassicaceae family. This leafy green vegetable has a long history, dating back to around 500 A.D in China. With its smooth, dark green leaves and crunchy white stalks, bok choy is not only pleasing to the eye but also packed with nutrients like vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals such as calcium and iron.
Bok choy is a versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in various ways. It can be steamed, stir-fried, braised, or even eaten raw in salads. In Chinese cuisine, bok choy is often used in soups and stir-fries, and it pairs well with ingredients like garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Its mildly sweet and earthy flavor makes it an excellent addition to many dishes.
When growing bok choy in your garden, it's best to plant them in a location with full sun to light shade and well-draining soil. The seeds can be sown directly in the ground or started indoors and transplanted later. Bok choy is a cool-season crop, so it is ideal to grow during spring and fall when temperatures are cooler. Regular watering and fertilizing will promote healthy growth, and you can typically harvest bok choy within 45-60 days after planting.
An interesting fact about bok choy is that it belongs to the same species as other popular vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. All these vegetables have been selectively bred over time to emphasize different traits, which is why they look and taste so different. In fact, the name 'bok choy' literally translates to 'white vegetable' in Cantonese due to its white-colored stalks.
This is advice is most applicable to growers in the UK, you may need to adjust the timings if you live somewhere with a different climate and/or seasons.
| Month | Tasks | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| January | - | - |
| February | sow indoors, | Start your Bok Choy seeds indoors in trays or pots. Seeds should germinate within 7-14 days. |
| March | sow outdoors, plant out, | Sow Bok Choy seeds directly outdoors in a well-prepared bed with fertile, well-draining soil, spacing them about 12 inches apart. Transplant indoor-grown seedlings outdoors when they're about 4 inches tall. |
| April | plant out, | Continue transplanting outdoor-grown seedlings spaced 12 inches apart. Keep soil consistently moist to ensure steady growth. |
| May | - | - |
| June | harvest early sowings, | Begin harvesting leaves from early sowings when they reach the desired size. Cut outer leaves first to encourage new leaf growth. |
| July | harvest early sowings, | Continue to harvest leaves from early sowings. Regularly check plants for any signs of pests or disease. |
| August | sow, | Sow Bok Choy seeds outdoors for an autumn crop. Ensure even spacing and consistent soil moisture for healthy growth. |
| September | - | - |
| October | harvest, | Harvest leaves from your autumn crop when they reach the desired size. Cut outer leaves first to encourage new leaf growth. |
| November | - | - |
| December | - | - |
