Bok Choy Seeds,
Baby Milk

Bok choy is best grown during cooler seasons. For spring planting, start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost, then transplant them outdoors. For fall harvests, sow seeds directly in the garden 4-8 weeks before the first expected frost. In warmer climates, bok choy is more prone to bolting, so consider planting in late summer or early fall when temperatures are steadier. 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 seeds 1/4 inch deep in the garden or start indoors and transplant. Space seedlings about 6 inches apart, with rows spaced 18-30 inches apart. For continuous harvests, sow seeds every two weeks. Baby bok choy can be planted more densely, but ensure good airflow to prevent disease.

Bok choy prefers full sun to partial shade, especially in hot regions. It needs about 4-6 hours of sunlight per day, but some afternoon shade can prevent wilting. Maintain consistent watering, giving the plants about 1 inch of water per week. Fertilize with compost or a balanced organic fertilizer during planting, and monitor for pests like cabbage worms and aphids, using row covers if necessary.

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.