Asian greens, such as bok choy, mizuna, and mustards, thrive in cooler temperatures and are perfect for planting during late summer or early fall. While many summer crops slow down as fall approaches, Asian greens continue to flourish, making them an excellent choice for extending your gardening season into autumn and even winter.
Types of Asian Greens
Asian greens are a diverse group with varying leaf shapes, textures, and flavors. You can enjoy the smooth, creamy leaves of tatsoi or bok choy, the crunchy texture of Chinese cabbage, and the deeply serrated leaves of mizuna and mibuna. These greens also come in a variety of spicy mustards, which may feature frilly or spoon-shaped leaves, as well as striking colors like red veins or golden hues.
Sowing Asian Greens
To grow healthy Asian greens, sow them in late summer for a harvest that continues into the cooler months. These cool-season plants are ideal for following earlier crops, and they are hardy enough to produce leaves throughout winter, especially when given some protection in the form of a greenhouse or hoop house.
For those with limited space, Asian greens grow well in containers, troughs, and trays. You can plant them individually or mix different varieties for a colorful, flavorful harvest. When sowing, it’s best to do so later in the season to avoid early bolting (flowering) and pest damage, which are more common in warmer months. If you do plant earlier, frequent leaf harvesting can help delay bolting, and planting in partial shade can also slow down this process.
Preparing the Soil and Sowing
Prepare your soil by spreading a general-purpose organic fertilizer and working it into the ground to create a fine, crumbly surface. Then, sow the seeds in shallow drills about half an inch (1 cm) deep, spacing the rows 6 to 10 inches (15-25 cm) apart. Once the seeds germinate, thin the seedlings to their final spacing, typically 6 to 12 inches (15-30 cm) apart, depending on the variety.
Alternatively, you can sow seeds in plug trays and transplant the seedlings later. This method is particularly useful if your garden space is still occupied by other crops. To do this, fill trays with all-purpose potting soil, firm it down, and sow one or two seeds per cell. Once the seeds have germinated, you can plant them out in about a month.
Caring for Asian Greens
Asian greens need consistent care to thrive. Keep the soil weed-free to reduce competition, especially as the days grow shorter and the light decreases. Slugs can be a major nuisance during the colder months, so be vigilant in removing them by hand or using beer traps. Protect your crops from flea beetles by covering newly sown beds with row covers or insect mesh. Additionally, netting can prevent pigeons from pecking at your plants.
If you’re growing in cooler regions, using a hoop house or cloche will help boost growth as winter approaches, and a greenhouse will allow for a continuous harvest even in the coldest weeks.
Harvesting Asian Greens
When it’s time to harvest, cut whole plants like bok choy and Chinese cabbage at the base. For loose-leaf varieties such as mizuna, pick a few leaves at a time to encourage new growth. Harvesting regularly ensures the plant remains productive, especially if you leave enough leaves behind to allow it to recover and keep growing.
With the right care, Asian greens will continue to thrive throughout the winter months and offer fresh, flavorful leaves when most other crops have slowed down. These hardy plants are not only a delight in the kitchen but also a testament to the rewards of year-round gardening.
By planting Asian greens, you can keep your garden vibrant and productive even as the seasons change. If you have any tips or experiences with growing these greens, feel free to share them in the comments below!