Bok choy: Spacing, Yield & Planting Dates
Plant count & yield calculator
Pre-filled for this crop — adjust bed size or pick a different vegetable.
Enter bed size to count plants.
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Assumptions and formulas will appear here once you calculate.
Seed starting dates
Pre-filled last frost — change the date to rebuild the full crop schedule. For Bok choy with this frost date : start indoors ~Mar 25, direct sow ~Mar 18 .
Pick a last frost date for the schedule.
Your result
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Show the math & assumptions
Assumptions and formulas will appear here once you calculate.
About bok choy
Bok choy delivers crisp, mild Asian greens in under two months, perfect for stir-fries, soups, and raw preparations in spring and fall gardens.
Spacing & yield
Bok choy wants 8×12 inches and about 1 lb per plant at ~50 days to maturity.
Growing tips
- Grow in spring and fall; bok choy bolts rapidly once temps exceed 75 F.
- Choose mini or baby varieties for faster 30-day harvests and dense plantings.
- Direct sow 4 weeks before last frost or start indoors 3 weeks before for a head start.
- Water consistently — drought stress triggers bolting even in cool weather.
Common mistakes
- Attempting a summer crop without bolt-resistant varieties; standard types bolt immediately.
- Overcrowding below 8-inch spacing, producing spindly plants with no developed stems.
Harvest & storage
Cut whole heads at the base or harvest outer leaves when plants are 6-8 inches tall, about 50 days from sowing.
Wrap in a damp towel and refrigerate for up to one week; bok choy loses crispness quickly.
Companion planting
Good neighbors for bok choy: celery, onions, dill, chamomile. Avoid planting beside: strawberries, tomatoes.
Planting calendar
Start indoors about 3 weeks before last frost. Direct sow is also an option around 4 weeks before frost. Use the seed-starting calculator above with your real county frost date — the April 15 default is only a worked example (zone 6 style).
Estimates only — consult your local extension office for advice specific to your land and animals.
Frequently asked questions
- How far apart should bok choy be planted?
- Space 8 inches in-row with 12 inches between rows for full-size heads; baby types can be closer.
- How much does one bok choy plant weigh?
- A full-size head yields about 1 lb of crisp stems and tender leaves.
- How long does bok choy take to grow?
- Full-size heads mature in about 50 days; baby varieties are ready in as few as 30 days.