Direct Sowing Bok Choy for Fast, Tender Harvests

Direct sowing bok choy is the fastest way to get crisp, sweet, tender heads—especially in spring and fall when soil temperatures are naturally cool. After growing bok choy for decades in raised beds and mounded rows here in Sonoma Valley, I’ve found that direct sowing produces the most vigorous plants with the least transplant stress. This guide brings together timing, spacing, and care techniques rooted in both research-based horticulture and the practical lessons I’ve learned in my year-round garden.

Table of Contents

Why Direct Sowing Works So Well

Direct-sown bok choy grows without any setback. Even a slight root disturbance can trigger stress, slow growth, or encourage early bolting. When the soil is moist, loose, and rich in organic matter, seeds germinate quickly and produce sturdy seedlings with strong taproots. In my garden, direct-sown plants consistently outpace transplants—often by a full week—and form more uniform rosettes.

Best Timing for Direct Sowing

Bok choy prefers cool conditions, and your sowing window depends on the season:

Spring

Sow 2–4 weeks before the last frost if soil is workable.
Ideal soil temperature: 50–70°F.
Seedlings tolerate light frost.

Fall

Sow 8–10 weeks before your first frost.
Bok choy thrives as nights begin to cool.
Fall crops are the most bolt-resistant and flavorful.

My Experience

Fall sowings consistently give me the most tender harvests. Spring sowings can bolt quickly if we get an unexpected warm spell, but fall plants stay compact and mild well into winter.

How to Direct Sow Bok Choy

Prepare the Bed

Work in finished compost to create a loose, moisture-retentive soil surface.
Level and smooth the bed—bok choy seeds germinate best in fine-textured soil.
Water thoroughly before sowing so the top few inches are evenly moist.

Sowing Depth and Spacing

Sow seeds ¼ inch deep, either in:
- Rows spaced 12 inches apart, or
- A broad, 12–18 inch band for cluster planting.
Drop seeds every 1–2 inches.
Cover lightly and firm gently for good seed-to-soil contact.

Watering for Fast, Even Germination

Keep the soil consistently moist, not soggy.
Water lightly once or twice daily until germination (usually 3–7 days).
Once sprouted, reduce to deep, infrequent watering.

Thinning for Tender, Quality Plants

Crowded bok choy bolts faster and produces smaller heads. Thin in two stages:

At 2–3 inches tall: Thin to 6 inches apart.
At 4–5 inches tall: Final spacing of 8–10 inches apart for full heads.

Use thinnings in stir-fries or salads—baby bok choy is delicious.

Protect Against Flea Beetles & Heat

Use row cover from sowing through early growth to prevent flea beetle damage.
Shade cloth (20–30%) helps during warm spells to slow bolting and keep leaves tender.

In my garden, row cover is essential in spring but optional in fall. Fall crops tend to grow cleaner and stress-free.

Harvesting Direct-Sown Bok Choy

Bok choy grows quickly—most varieties mature in 40–55 days.

For baby bok choy: harvest at 5–8 inches tall.
For full-size heads: cut at the base when plants are tight and firm.
Entire plants can be cut, or you can harvest single leaves to extend the season.

Direct-sown plants often mature earlier than transplants because they never experience root shock.

Final Thoughts

Direct sowing bok choy is the simplest, most reliable way to produce fast, tender, bolt-resistant harvests. By preparing a fine seedbed, maintaining steady moisture, and sowing during cool seasons, you can enjoy crisp, flavorful bok choy throughout much of the year. My own direct-sown fall crops have become a cornerstone of my year-round garden—and they can be for yours too.