Bok Choy Seeds,
Purple Lady

For spring planting, start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost and transplant them outdoors after the frost has passed. In the fall, sow seeds directly in the garden in late summer when temperatures begin to cool down, avoiding the hottest part of the year to prevent bolting. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

Direct sow Purple Lady seeds 1/4 inch deep and space them 1-2 inches apart. Thin seedlings to about 12 inches apart once they are 2-3 inches tall to ensure the plant have sufficient space for growth. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist, and expect germination within 10-14 days.

Maintain consistent moisture in the soil and protect plants from extreme heat by providing partial shade if necessary. This variety is relatively cold-tolerant and can even benefit from light frosts, which can enhance the flavor. Fertilize with a balanced organic fertilizer during planting, and monitor for pests like aphids and cabbage worms.

Bok choy is an annual, completing its life cycle in one year. To avoid selecting bolt-prone plants, don't save seeds from prematurely bolted ones. Let plants mature fully, harvest the dried pods, crumble the small round seeds into a jar or bag, then seal and store the seeds in a cool, dark, dry place. Bok choy cross-pollinates with other rapa species but not with different species of Brassica, so it's safe to grow it next to mustard greens (Brassica juncea), for example. To ensure seed purity, isolate your bok choy from other blooming B. rapa by about a half mile or use caging techniques. Allow your healthiest plants to flower for a strong, diverse seed pool.