After a few years of not planting any vegetables in my own garden due to multiple surgeries I have planted potatoes, kale, broccoli and cabbage so far. It felt really good to get back at it. My next crop to plant is Chinese cabbage.
Chinese cabbage is a cool season vegetable that can be planted in both spring and fall. It can be either heading or looseleaf. Heading types may be more familiar to American gardeners as “napa” cabbage and have thinner, more tender leaves than common cabbages. Looseleaf types are faster growing and are more similar to Bok choy or leafy greens grown for salads.
Variety considerations. Select early maturing, heat tolerant, and bolt resistant varieties of heading Chinese cabbage for planting in the spring. Most varieties will be successful for fall plantings. Looseleaf varieties grow fast enough that any type will perform well in spring or fall.
When to plant. Heading types of Chinese cabbage are difficult to plant in the spring because of a tendency for transplanted crops to bolt or go to seed. Select small, stocky plants and set them in mid-April, or direct seed by planting in the garden at the same time to prevent bolting. Young plants are prone to bolting if they are exposed to frost or cold overnight temperatures.
Looseleaf types of Chinese cabbage can be direct seeded or transplanted from late March to mid-April.
Spacing. Space head-forming plants 12 to 18 inches apart. If you are direct seeding, plant seeds about ½ inch deep. Plant looseleaf types 6 to 12 inches apart, depending on desired harvest size.
Crop rotation. If possible in your garden space, do not plant Chinese cabbage in areas where bok choy, cabbage, kale, or turnips have been planted in the past 3 to 4 years.
Care. Like its cabbage family relatives, Chinese cabbage needs a starter fertilizer at transplanting and regular fertilizing every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season. Critical periods when water is necessary are during head formation and enlargement. Row covers can help reduce insect problems in both spring and fall.
Harvesting. Heads of Chinese cabbage will be looser than cabbage and is more open on top. Feel through the leaves and cut it above the outer leaves when the head is firm and dense. Once seed stalks start to appear, all head development ceases; if bolting occurs, harvest and salvage what you can of the crop.
Looseleaf Chinese cabbage can be harvested at whatever size you prefer, starting at about 3 inches tall through mature size. Harvest individual leaves from the outside of the plant. If you want to harvest the entire plant, cut the plant at the soil level.
