When to plant
Spring: direct sow 4–6 weeks before last frost or transplant. Fall: sow 6–8 weeks before first frost. Grows best at 50–65°F. Fall crops tend to be sweeter and have fewer pest problems. Avoid summer planting — bolts almost immediately in heat.
Soil & site
Rich, well-drained soil with good moisture retention. pH 6.0–7.0. Work in compost before planting. Bok choy is a heavy feeder and rewards good soil preparation. Consistent soil moisture prevents premature bolting.
Feeding
Moderate to heavy feeder. Apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer or compost tea every 2–3 weeks during growth. Healthy growth = tender, mild-flavored stalks. Stress (heat, drought, nitrogen deficiency) causes bitterness and early bolting.
Common problems
Cabbage worms, aphids, slugs, and flea beetles. Row covers provide excellent protection. Clubroot disease in acid soil (raise pH and rotate crops). Bolts rapidly in heat and long days — choose slow-bolt varieties for late spring planting. Best crops are grown in cool weather.
When to harvest
Baby bok choy (3–4 inches): harvest at any size once it looks like a miniature head. Full-size bok choy: ready when the white stalks are thick (1–2 inches) and the plant is 12–18 inches tall. Harvest before it sends up a flower stalk (bolts), which turns leaves bitter. Outer stalks should be firm and crisp.
How to harvest
Whole-head harvest: cut the entire plant at soil level. Cut-and-come-again: harvest outer stalks and leaves individually, leaving the central growing point for continued production. Baby bok choy can be harvested whole by pulling or cutting. Harvest in the morning when leaves are at their crispest.
Storage & use
Refrigerate unwashed for 3–7 days in a bag. Wash right before use. Excellent stir-fried, steamed, or in soups — the stalks and leaves cook at different rates, so add stalks first. Baby bok choy can be halved and grilled. Freeze blanched pieces for soups.
Companion planting
Bok choy is a brassica and benefits from the same companions — onions and aromatic herbs deter its main pests.
Useful for growing bok choy
A few things that make this one easier — chosen for this plant, not a generic list.
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