{"product_id":"shanghai-pak-choi-heirloom-seeds","title":"Shanghai Pak Choi Heirloom Seeds","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShanghai Pak Choi\u003c\/strong\u003e is a compact Chinese cabbage heirloom prized for its tender pale green stems and smooth, dark green leaves. Mild, juicy, and quick to mature, it brings a buttery crunch to stir-fries, soups, and fresh garden meals. Open-pollinated and non-GMO, it is a dependable cool-season crop for spring and fall gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHistory\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eShanghai Pak Choi belongs to the long tradition of Asian greens grown for their fast growth, tender texture, and versatility in the kitchen. This Shanghai type is known for its softer green color, compact upright shape, and succulent stems that stay mild when harvested young. It is a practical heirloom for gardeners who want a generous harvest without giving up much bed space.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlant Profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 45–55 days, with baby leaves ready earlier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHead Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–12 inches tall with pale green stems and dark green leaves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e About 8–12 inches tall and wide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cool-season leafy brassica grown as an annual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eShanghai Pak Choi has a mild, lightly sweet flavor with crisp, juicy stems and tender leaves. The stems hold their pleasant crunch when cooked, while the leaves soften quickly and absorb sauces, broth, garlic, and ginger beautifully. Young leaves are delicate enough for salads and fresh slaws.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhen to Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirect sow Shanghai Pak Choi in early spring 2–4 weeks before your last spring frost, or sow in late summer 6–8 weeks before your first expected fall frost. Cool weather helps the plants stay tender and reduces bolting. Aim for soil temperatures around 50–70°F, and provide afternoon shade if warm weather arrives early. Check your \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\"\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zone\u003c\/a\u003e to fine-tune your planting schedule.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Tips \u0026amp; Planting Dimensions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thin to 6–8 inches apart, with 12–18 inches between rows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cover seeds about 1\/4 inch deep in fine, loose soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Usually 5–10 days at 60–70°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun in cool weather; light afternoon shade helps in warmer conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Loose, fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep soil evenly moist for crisp stems and steady growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuccession sowing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sow a short row every 2–3 weeks during cool weather for a continuous harvest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHealthy plants:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water at soil level, rotate brassica crops, and thin promptly for good airflow and strong growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003e🌱 Gentle Cover Germination 🌱\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eInto the surface — thin cover only, no light needed.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStart with the right foundation.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a fine seed-starting mix — not garden soil or coarse potting mix. Sift it if needed. Small seeds need a smooth, even surface to make good contact and germinate reliably.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCover lightly — just barely.\u003c\/strong\u003e Press seeds onto the moist surface and cover with no more than 1\/8 inch of finely sifted mix. These seeds don’t need light to germinate but they don’t want to be buried either.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMist, don’t drench.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a spray bottle to keep the surface evenly moist. Watering from above can wash small seeds away before they ever get started.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWarmth is your friend.\u003c\/strong\u003e These seeds germinate best at 65–70°F — basically normal room temperature. A heat mat can help if your space runs cool.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrap the humidity.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cover your tray with a humidity dome or a loose piece of plastic wrap. This keeps moisture and warmth stable while you wait.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGive them time.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep conditions consistent, resist the urge to overwater, and trust the process — they will sprout.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThin with scissors, not fingers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Once seedlings appear, snip extras at the soil line rather than pulling. These roots are close together and pulling one can disturb its neighbors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eShanghai Pak Choi does not need cold stratification. For direct sowing, keep the seedbed evenly moist until seedlings emerge.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowth Type \u0026amp; Harvest Yields\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eShanghai Pak Choi forms a compact upright rosette of pale stems and dark green leaves. Harvest a few outside leaves for a cut-and-come-again supply, or let plants mature into full heads for a larger kitchen harvest. Succession sowing keeps new, tender greens coming through the cool season.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKnowing When to Harvest\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarvest baby leaves as soon as they are large enough to use, or cut full heads when the stems are plump, crisp, and the leaves are richly green. Pick before the center stalk stretches upward or flower buds appear, since cool-season greens are most tender before bolting. Cut the head just above the soil line and refrigerate promptly. Use within several days for the best texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCompanion Plants \u0026amp; Mutual Benefits\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeas:\u003c\/strong\u003e A cool-season pairing that makes efficient use of garden space.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCarrots:\u003c\/strong\u003e A tidy root-crop neighbor with compatible moisture needs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOnions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upright plants that fit neatly beside low, leafy pak choi.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDill:\u003c\/strong\u003e Helps attract beneficial insects to a diverse garden bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLettuce:\u003c\/strong\u003e A fast, low-growing companion for filling bed edges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow to Enjoy\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStir-fry stems and leaves with garlic, ginger, sesame, or soy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSteam whole heads until just tender and finish with toasted sesame oil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd chopped pak choi to ramen, miso soup, and vegetable broth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlice young leaves into salads, slaws, and fresh spring rolls.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoast halved heads for caramelized edges and tender centers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOrder Today\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrow a compact Asian green with crisp stems, tender leaves, and a generous cool-season harvest. Order Shanghai Pak Choi Heirloom Seeds today and bring fresh, garden-grown flavor to your stir-fries and soups.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garden Heirloom Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Starter Pack of 10 seeds","offer_id":54051396747578,"sku":null,"price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Garden Pack of 25 seeds 🌱 Best Value","offer_id":54051396780346,"sku":null,"price":2.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/7850\/9626\/files\/image_732aeeef-e0c1-441c-b6d8-214e999d5392.png?v=1789333262","url":"https:\/\/gardenheirloomseeds.com\/products\/shanghai-pak-choi-heirloom-seeds","provider":"Garden Heirloom Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}