Growing your own Pak Choi is surprisingly easy! The best way to get started is by sowing the seeds indoors on a sunny windowsill before transplanting the little guys out into the garden. Here’s everything you need to know about starting your seeds and keeping those seedlings happy.
Sowing and Germination
You can start your Pak Choi seeds as early as April. To get the ball rolling, you’ll need a few basics:
- Pak Choi seeds (you can find these at any garden center or home improvement store)
- Seed-starting mix
- Small starter pots
Pro tip: You don’t need to buy fancy seed trays! Old yogurt cups or egg cartons work just as well. Just fill your containers with the starter mix and gently press the seeds about half an inch (one centimeter) deep into the soil. Give them a light watering, but be careful not to let water pool on the surface. To get them to sprout, place your pots in a bright, warm spot—at least 65°F (18°C) is ideal, so a sunny windowsill is usually the perfect home.
Pak Choi is a fast mover! Germination can happen in as little as two days, and you should definitely see sprouts within a week. The golden rule during this stage? Keep them hydrated. If the soil dries out completely, the seeds won’t be able to do their thing.
Thinning and Pricking Out Your Seedlings
Once your little Pak Choi plants reach about two inches (five centimeters) tall, it’s time for a little “social distancing”—also known as pricking out or thinning. If you planted each seed in its own individual pot, you’re good to go. But if you have multiple seedlings sharing a space, you’ll need to separate them so they don’t crowd each other out.
To do this, gently loosen the soil around the plants using a toothpick or a small dibber. Carefully lift the seedlings out by their leaves, making sure not to damage the delicate root systems. Move each plant into its own larger pot with plenty of room to grow, and give them a good drink of water immediately after. Once the threat of frost has passed (usually after Mother’s Day or the “Ice Saints”), your Pak Choi is ready to be planted out in the garden.
