When to sow Pak choi in the UK
Pak choi is sown relative to the average last frost, so the right week depends on where in the UK you garden.
Sowing and harvest dates by region
Pak choi is timed from the average frost dates, so its timings shift across the UK. Plot works them out from the Midlands and Lowland Wales baseline using Met Office average frost dates.
| Where you are | Sow indoors | Sow outdoors | Plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South West Coast and Cornwall | late January to mid July | late March to late July | mid April to early August | late April to late September |
| South Coast and Channel | early February to mid July | early April to early August | mid April to early August | early May to early October |
| Greater London (Urban Heat Island) | late January to mid July | late March to late July | mid April to early August | late April to late September |
| South East and Home Counties | late February to early August | mid April to mid August | early May to late August | mid May to mid October |
| East Anglia | late February to early August | late April to late August | early May to late August | late May to late October |
| Midlands and Lowland Wales | early March to mid August | early May to late August | mid May to early September | late May to late October |
| Wales and West Coast | late February to early August | mid April to mid August | early May to late August | mid May to mid October |
| Northern England | mid March to late August | early May to early September | late May to mid September | early June to early November |
| Scotland Lowlands and Central Belt | late March to late August | mid May to mid September | late May to mid September | mid June to mid November |
| Scotland Highlands and Islands | mid April to mid September | early June to early October | mid June to early October | early July to early December |
| Northern Ireland | late February to early August | late April to late August | early May to late August | late May to late October |
| Channel Islands and Isle of Man | late January to early July | late March to mid July | early April to late July | mid April to mid September |
Growing notes
Sow outdoors only once the risk of frost has passed, as cold snaps and hot dry spells both trigger bolting; spring and late-summer crops are the most reliable. Baby leaves are ready in about 30 days and full heads in 45-75 days.
At a glance
- Spacing
- 25 cm between plants
- Row spacing
- 30 cm
- Plants per m²
- 16
- Days to maturity
- 50 days
- Yield per plant
- 0.3 kg
- Sun
- Partial
- Frost tender
- No
- Grows in a container
- Yes, 20 litres or more
- Minimum soil depth
- 25 cm
- Balcony rating
- 5 out of 5
Succession sowing
Worth sowing in batches. Sow again every 21 days, up to about 6 sowings in a season, for a longer picking window rather than one glut.
What usually goes wrong
- bolting
- flea beetle
- cabbage white caterpillars
- slugs
Companion planting
Grows well near
Keep away from
Related guides
Timings cross-checked against RHS guidance for pak choi.