Pak choi can be used in salads or stir-fries as a baby leaf, used in a variety of Oriental dishes as a cooked vegetable when semi-mature or as fully-grown heads.
Pak choi grows best in a sunny position in a fertile soil. It is ready to harvest in 30 days from sowing as baby leaf, or between 45-75 days as semi-mature to full-size heads.
Sow from April to July. Sow seed thinly, 13mm (0.5in) deep, in rows 30-38cm (12-15in) apart; the wider distance is best for semi-mature to full-size heads.
Earlier and later sowings for baby leaf can also be made under cloches or fleece in mild areas.
Gradually thin to 7.5-10cm (3-4in) for baby leaf, to 20cm (8in) for semi-mature plants and to 25-30cm (10-12in) for mature plants. The thinnings can be eaten.
Keep plants well watered throughout the growing period to avoid bolting (running to seed) and lack of flavour.
Harvest as and when needed.
