Skip to product information
1 of 5

JNB Seed

Pak Choi Seeds

Pak Choi Seeds

Regular price $3.99 CAD
Regular price Sale price $3.99 CAD
Sale Sold out
Seed Count

Pak Choi, alternatively known as Bok Choy, is a versatile Chinese leafy green celebrated for its culinary flexibility. It thrives in the garden, maturing in about 50 days, and can be harvested at various growth stages. The plant features broad, white stalks and is a flavorful component in everything from soups and salads to meat dishes. Its origins trace back to 15th century China, where it was initially recognized for its nutritional value by a Ming Dynasty pharmacologist. Its prominence grew over time, becoming a core element in Korean kimchi and finding its way to Japan through returning soldiers. By the late 19th century, it had made its way into American cuisine as well.

This cool-season crop, Pak Choi or Bok Choy, enjoys a rich history and a staple in Asian cooking, offering a mild and crisp taste perfect for a variety of dishes. Its leaves and thick stalks contribute both texture and a slightly sweet flavor to soups, stir-fries, and noodles. This cruciferous vegetable is not only a culinary delight but also packed with beneficial phytonutrients and antioxidants, making it a valuable addition to any home garden for those looking to enhance their meals with healthy, flavorful ingredients.

Widely recognized as Chinese cabbage, Pak Choi, or Bok Choy, this vegetable stands out in the kitchen. Its crispy texture and subtle cabbage taste make it a preferred ingredient in stir-fries and a crunchy component in fresh salads. Whether picked young as tender baby greens or left to mature, it offers a delightful combination of taste and nutrition, including fiber, which is beneficial for a balanced diet.

Cultivating Pak Choi in your garden is not only simple but rewarding, given its adaptability and short growth cycle. This leafy green enriches dishes with its distinctive crunch and nutritional content at any size. As a crucial part of Asian culinary traditions, it introduces a spectrum of flavors and textures to meals, ensuring a dietary source of fiber and essential nutrients. Its ease of growth and versatility in recipes make it an excellent choice for gardeners and cooks alike.

    How To Grow

    Sowing: Prepare the soil with compost or organic matter; Chinese cabbage prefers full sun or partial shade, and grow best in temperatures from 7-24 C. Direct seeding works best, about 4-6 weeks before the last average spring frost date. Plant Canton Pak Choi Chinese cabbage seeds 1/4" deep about 12" apart in rows about 12" apart; germination should take place in about 10 days. For a fall crop, direct sow in July.

    Growing: Keep the soil evenly moist for the healthiest growth. If the sun gets too hot, Chinese cabbage tends to "bolt" or go to seed; in long periods of heat, some kind of shade may be helpful. Watch out for snails, as they will harm the plants.

    Harvesting

    Single leaves or the entire plant may be harvested, either at 28 days for the tender baby leaf stage or when a fully mature head at 50 days. For freshest taste, use within five days.

    Seed Saving

    In areas where the ground freezes over winter, it will be necessary to dig up the plant before the first heavy frost; cut off the top to 3" and store the roots in sand or sawdust over winter, and plant them again in the spring. In warmer climates, cover the plant thickly with mulch over winter. In the spring, allow the plant to flower and go to seed. When the long green pods turn brown, pick them individually. Pour boiling water over the Pak Choi seeds to kill any bacteria that may have formed, them let them completely dry. Remove the pods and store Canton Pak Choi Chinese cabbage seeds in a cool, dry place.

    Extra Facts

    Planting Methods: Direct Sowing, Indoor Seed Trays, Container Gardening

    Blooming Season: Fall

    Planting Season: Early Spring or Late Summer

    Latin Name/USDA Zones: Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis/ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

    Sunlight Required/Height: Full Sun/ 15 to 30 cm

    Seed Type: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated

    Soil Type: Loam Soil

    View full details