January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December
Description
Bok choy can be moderately profitable. It’s a substantial vegetable and stores relatively well. Most people are familiar with bok choy. There are many unique and different varieties to try, and most will perform well in the field. Tatsoi is lesser known in the American market but very delicious and beautiful. Market baby tatsoi in custom salad mixes tailored to foodies and chefs. Give new customers samples to try – it’s an easy green vegetable to like.
Harvest
Window
Leaves can be continually harvested until it starts to flower. If left too long in the garden, it will lose flavor and become bitter.
Time of Day
Harvest during the cooler part of day to reduce moisture loss
Ready to Harvest
As soon as it has usable leaves.
Once the plants are flowering, pick a few leaves and taste them. If they're woody, pick the rest of the flowers and toss the plants on the compost pile. Otherwise, harvest the best tender leaves and flower stalks before discarding the plants. Flowers are edible and can be harvested and taste best right before they open.
Methods
A. Cutting at the base will keep the head in tact, and will be a one-time harvest.
B. 'Cut-and-come-again:' bok choy leaves can be harvested like Swiss chard by cutting roughly 2 inches from the base. Should be able to have 2-3 cuttings before the plant starts to flower
Packing
Bunches
If cut at the base, baby heads: 2 per bunch and full size: one head
For loose leaves: add baby leaves to salad mixes and full size leaves can be sold with 5-9 stems per bunch.
Storage
After harvest
Store unwashed in cold room.
days
Lasts about 3-4 days in the fridge or up to one week
Price
Market Price
$3.00 per bunch or head
Hub Price paid to farmer
$2.40 per bunch or head
Estimated return per row ft
-
Common Quality Problems
Diseases
White leaf spot is a fungal disease common to Brassicas. remove any diseased plants immediately to prevent disease spread and build-up in the planting location. When present, avoid overhead sprinkler irrigation if possible as this causes water-splash spread which makes the disease worse. Only work in garden beds when leaves are dry to prevent spread of disease through contact with hands, tools or clothing.
Pests
Flea beetles will feed on the leaves which may cause the harvest to be unmarketable. Use row covering protect plants from egg-laying adults.
Culinary Guide
Taste
Stem should be crisp and juicy; has a mild cabbage flavor, avoid extremely bitter tasting plants.
