Saving Kale
Saving Bok Choy seeds is very easy!
Planting: Direct sow your Red Russian Kale in Spring; generally plant up to the point of soil temperatures reach 80 F. Kale love cool temps and can tolerate hot. Consider planting early and late season - kale will produce to frost (or later). If you love it, keep planting cutting through the entire season!
Can start indoors or direct seed. Plant at 1/4" depth. Indoors, start 6-8 weeks before last frost - plant out before last frost. Thin to 20" apart.
- Planting Depth 1/4/"
- Days to Germ. 3-10
- Days To Maturity 45-50
- Full is best and partial sun OK
Harvesting: Harvest through the season for eating. Bok Choy can reach 12-24" tall, however, you can harvest the leaves at any time as it is a leafy cabbage. Bok Choy bolts quickly in high heat. You will want most of your Bok Choy grown in early Summer and early Fall.
Seed Saving: If you are saving Bok Choy seeds, select the best plants and allow the pods to fully mature without harvesting leaves for eating - let them go!
- Allow the pods to mature on the plant
- Collect the pods when they feel papery and dry. Fully dry pods will open naturally, do not wait too long!
- When the stems begin to dry, cut the stem below the pods
- Place the cut stems in a an area to dry. Grocery bags work well and can ensure that seeds will remain in the bag as the pods dry and open.
- Open the pods between your fingers - over a bag or collection container
- Place the gleaned seeds in an envelope and store in an airtight container if possible. Consistent cool and dry storage is ideal.
- Share your seeds!.