Growing Chinese cabbage, also Wong bok, wong nga pak, napa cabbage

Brassica rapa (Pekinensis Group) : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
										P	P

(Best months for growing Chinese cabbage in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

P = Sow seed

Easy to grow. Sow direct in the garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
Space plants: 12 inches apart
Harvest in 8-10 weeks. Harvest whole head or you can take a few leaves at a time..
Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile, coriander), lettuce, potatoes
Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chilli, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard

Large oval shape with crinkly light green leaves and white stems. Wider at the base. Grows easily from seeds. Prefers cooler weather. Best grown fast with plenty of fertiliser and water.

Watch for slugs and snails.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Chinese cabbage

Use in stir-fry. Has a milder flavour than regular cabbage.
Shred the inner leaves and stems to use in coleslaw salad.

Your comments and tips

27 Oct 21, Marion (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate): I want to make kimchi and I want to grow my own cabbage.were can I get seeds or ready sprouted plants
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28 Oct 21, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate): Try an online seed supplier, like Egmont Seeds or else garden shops - Bunnings, Mitre 10
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17 Oct 21, Mary Boynton (New Zealand - temperate climate): I want to grow chinese mini cabbages and chinese brocolli over summer.
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11 Apr 21, Deborah (New Zealand - temperate climate): I want to grow this variety of cabbage. Can I plant it in autumn/winter?
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12 Apr 21, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate): If you are likely to get frosts then it is best to leave starting the seeds till late winter/spring time
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31 Dec 17, Brian (New Zealand - temperate climate): I am growing Chinese Cabbage from seed. When they have grown quite leafy some of the leaves go white and paper thin. I am growing in raised garden using growing mixes from a garden centre.
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29 Dec 13, Gina Bubb (New Zealand - temperate climate): I lived in NZ in the North Island and wish to grow the Chinese Cabbage Wombok that I use to find readily available in Aussie in the supermarkets. I have looked everywhere and no one seems to know what I'm talking about when I asked in the supermarkets here in NZ. They only seen to stock the Asian green Bok Choy. I wish to be able to grow it if possible so, want to know if I can get seeds here in NZ.
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28 Aug 17, Angela Chang (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate): I bought it from bunnings. mr-fothergill-s-seed-chinese-cabbage-nagaoka_
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See comments for all plants

GardenGrow

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

Growing Chinese cabbage, also Wong bok, wong nga pak, napa cabbage

Brassica rapa (Pekinensis Group) : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Chinese cabbage

Your comments and tips

GardenGrow

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

Growing Chinese cabbage, also Wong bok, wong nga pak, napa cabbage

Brassica rapa (Pekinensis Group) : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Chinese cabbage

Your comments and tips

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