Bok Choy in Zone 7A — Texas

Bok choy is a fantastic addition to any Texas garden. Its mild, slightly sweet flavor is delicious stir-fried, steamed, or added to soups. Plus, it's quick to mature, giving you a rewarding harvest in our long growing season, and you can even get two harvests if you time it right.

Don't let Texas's unpredictable weather scare you off. With a little planning, you can easily grow bok choy during our cooler periods. Our 245-day growing season offers ample opportunity to plant early, harvest early, and then plant again for a bountiful fall garden.

Starting bok choy indoors is an option, especially if you want a head start on the spring season. Begin sowing seeds from early February through early March, roughly four weeks before you plan to transplant them outside. Use seed trays filled with a good seed-starting mix and keep them in a warm location with plenty of light – a sunny windowsill or under grow lights works well.

Water gently from the bottom to avoid damping-off. Set your tray in a shallow container of water, and let the soil soak it up from the bottom. Given our early springs here, this helps you get a jump before the Texas heat arrives.

Transplant your bok choy seedlings outdoors from mid March through late April. Before transplanting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This prevents shock from our variable spring weather.

Space the plants 6-10 inches apart in well-drained soil. Be mindful of late freezes or unexpected hail during this time – row covers can provide extra protection.

Direct sowing is a straightforward method for growing bok choy, and it works well in Texas. You can direct sow from early March through mid September. Prepare the soil by loosening it and adding compost.

Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and keep the soil consistently moist until germination. Thin seedlings to 6-10 inches apart once they emerge. Direct sowing is especially great for a fall garden crop, letting you take advantage of our extended warm weather after the brutal Texas heat subsides.

Bok choy needs consistent moisture, especially here in Texas. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. During the spring and fall, when temperatures are milder, water deeply about once or twice a week, providing around 1 inch of water each time.

During the hotter summer months, you might need to water every other day, or even daily, depending on rainfall and humidity. Stick your finger about two inches into the soil; if it feels dry, it's time to water. Water at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the leaves, which can encourage fungal diseases, especially with our variable humidity.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves, while yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering. Mulching around your bok choy plants with straw or shredded leaves helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the soil cooler, all important in our Texas climate.

You can expect your first bok choy harvest from mid April through late November, about 45 days after planting. You can harvest baby bok choy when the leaves are 6-8 inches tall, or wait for the full-size heads to reach 12-15 inches.

To harvest, cut the entire head off at the base or harvest individual outer leaves for continuous production. Cutting above the base often encourages regrowth, giving you a second smaller harvest. As our first frost approaches in mid- November, harvest any remaining bok choy to enjoy before the cold weather sets in.

Here are some common problems you might encounter growing bok choy in Texas:

Flea Beetles

• What it looks like: Tiny round holes (shot-hole pattern) in leaves, especially on young seedlings. You might see small, dark beetles jumping when disturbed.
• What causes it: These are small jumping beetles that feed on leaves. They’re most damaging to small, young plants, and we often see them pop up with the early warmth.
• How to fix/prevent it: Row covers are your best bet to protect seedlings. Delay planting until plants are larger and more resilient. Kaolin clay coating can also deter them, as can neem oil spray. Try interplanting with basil or catnip.

Cabbage Worms

• What it looks like: Smooth green caterpillars on the leaves. You'll see irregular holes chewed in the leaves and dark green droppings. Keep an eye out for white butterflies fluttering around your plants.
• What causes it: These are the larvae of those white cabbage butterflies. They can go through multiple generations in our long, warm season.
• How to fix/prevent it: Bt spray is very effective. Floating row covers will prevent the butterflies from laying eggs. Handpick the caterpillars when you see them. Interplant with aromatic herbs like thyme or sage to deter the butterflies.

Slugs

• What it looks like: Irregular holes in the leaves, especially on plants close to the ground. Look for silvery slime trails on leaves and soil. Damage is usually worse at night and in wet weather.
• What causes it: These gastropods feed at night in moist conditions. They hide under mulch, boards, and debris during the day. Flash floods and heavy rains can make this problem worse.
• How to fix/prevent it: Beer traps (shallow dishes of beer sunk into the soil) work well. Iron phosphate bait is also effective and pet-safe. Remove any hiding spots. Water in the morning so the soil surface dries out by evening. Copper tape around beds and diatomaceous earth around plants can also help.

Bolting in Heat

• What it looks like: Your bok choy sends up a flower stalk, and the leaves become tough and bitter. The harvest quality declines rapidly.
• What causes it: Bok choy is a cool-season crop and bolts when temperatures rise. This is especially true when days consistently exceed 80°F. The brutal Texas heat is the biggest culprit.
• How to fix/prevent it: Time your plantings for cooler weather in the spring and fall. Choose bolt-resistant varieties. Provide shade during warm spells. Mulch to keep the soil cool. Harvest before bolting progresses too far.

Texas-Specific Challenges: The hot-to-extreme heat, variable humidity, and unpredictable rainfall in Texas can make growing bok choy a challenge. Heat can cause bolting, while fluctuating humidity can encourage fungal diseases. Consistent monitoring and proactive measures like shading and proper watering are essential for success. Fire ants can also be a nuisance, so keep an eye out for their mounds and take appropriate control measures.

Good companions for bok choy include garlic and onion. These alliums help deter pests like aphids and cabbage worms. Beets are also good companions, as they don't compete for the same nutrients and can help loosen the soil. Lettuce and spinach are great for filling in space around bok choy, creating a living mulch that helps keep the soil cool and moist.

Avoid planting bok choy near strawberries or tomatoes. Strawberries can attract slugs, which will then go after your bok choy. Tomatoes, being heavy feeders, can compete with bok choy for nutrients in the soil.