Fresh, fast and full of flavour — Pak Choy (also known as Bok Choy) is a must-grow leafy green for cool-season gardens. With its crisp white stems and glossy green leaves, this Asian favourite is perfect for stir-fries, soups, steaming or enjoying raw. Quick to mature and easy to grow, it’s ideal for small gardens, raised beds and containers.
🌱 How to Grow:
Sowing Time (South Africa):
Late summer to autumn (February–May) and again in early spring (August–September).
Prefers cool weather and may bolt in extreme heat.
Germination:
5–10 days at 15–22°C
Sow 5–10 mm deep directly into prepared beds or containers.
Transplanting:
Can be transplanted when seedlings are small and sturdy.
Space 20–30 cm apart for full heads.
For baby leaves, sow closer together and harvest young.
🌞 Position:
Full sun to light shade.
Benefits from morning sun and protection from intense afternoon heat.
🪨 Soil:
Well-drained, compost-rich soil.
Prefers fertile soil for fast, leafy growth.
pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0).
💧 Watering:
Moderate and consistent.
Keep soil evenly moist to prevent bitterness and bolting.
Avoid water stress for crisp, tender stems.
🌼 Harvest Time:
30–45 days for baby leaves.
45–60 days for mature heads.
Harvest whole heads or cut outer leaves as needed.
📏 Height & Spread:
30–45 cm tall
20–30 cm wide
Forms upright rosettes with thick white stems and lush green leaves.
🌿 Top Tips:
✔️ Succession sow every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvests.
✔️ Harvest early for sweeter, more tender leaves.
✔️ Protect from caterpillars and aphids if needed.
✔️ Ideal for containers and raised beds.
✔️ Quick-growing — perfect for filling gaps between slower crops.
🐝 Pollinator Friendly:
If allowed to flower, produces delicate yellow blooms that attract bees and beneficial insects.
💚 Why Grow Pak Choy?
✔️ Fast-growing and beginner-friendly
✔️ Crisp stems and tender leaves
✔️ Perfect for stir-fries, soups and salads
✔️ Compact — great for small spaces
✔️ Reliable cool-season crop
Add fresh crunch to your garden and kitchen!
Cabbage ‘Pak Choy’ delivers quick harvests, delicious flavour and easy success in the cool-season veg patch. 🥬🌿✨
