Compact pak choi · A
Direct sow. Choose a small-heading pak choi; heat or cold stress may trigger premature flowering.
Fall pak choi with a whole-head finish
Schedule one harvest-and-clear decision for pak choi heads and a separate sample-root check.
Count heads at thinning and remove bolting plants. Reserve a clear-bed date after the final head harvest.
How to use this plan
Plan a finite whole-head harvest instead of repeated leaf cuts.
- Check your starting point Record healthy head count after thinning and inspect each center for bolting.
- Choose the next action Harvest a usable small head before bolting or quality decline; do not wait for a universal size.
- Carry out the plan Thin heads, sample radishes separately, cut finished pak choi and record empty positions.
- Keep a useful record A head-count harvest and complete-block clearance record.
If conditions change
- A head bolts before filling out. Harvest acceptable parts promptly and clear that position; record it as an early finish.
Your next step
Direct sow · Compact pak choi
2027-07-24 to 2027-08-07. Check local conditions first.
292target positions
16 bags40 L · after inventory
Print includes your layout, quantities, sources and the full season. Choose Save as PDF in your browser print dialog.
Your plan, ready to grow
Example dates4 × 8 ft (121.9 × 243.8 cm) · 8 in (20.3 cm) fill depth · 4 hours of sun · Start · Last spring frost · First fall frost
292target positions
604.1 Lusable fill volume
16 bags40 L each · after inventory
15 weeksyour seasonal care plan
Planting layout
Top view · orient tall crops away from the sun-facing edge.
| Zone / crop | Positions | Spacing | Season requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| A · Compact pak choi | 361 planting batch | 8 × 8 in203.2 × 203.2 mm | 80 seeds36 seasonal target positions |
| B · Small round radishes | 2561 planting batch | 3 × 3 in76.2 × 76.2 mm | 564 seeds256 seasonal target positions |
Square bed spacing is the selected compact planting method. Container spacing describes root positions; foliage may spread beyond the pot. Seed quantities include 10% spare, with 2 small seeds per target and one bean seed per target. Follow cultivar packets if their spacing or sowing instructions differ.
Planting windows
Soil and weather decide the actual planting day.
Small round radishes · B
Direct sow. Use a small round spring variety, not daikon; avoid sustained hot weather.
From planting to clearing
Estimated cycles fit.
These are planning windows. Record what actually happens in your season journal; clear the space before starting the next crop.
A · Compact pak choiPhase 1 · batch 1
- Sow2027-07-24 to 2027-08-07
Choose a small-heading pak choi; heat or cold stress may trigger premature flowering. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- Seedlings2027-07-28 to 2027-08-17
Thin toward single plants and avoid damaging neighboring shallow roots. Thin toward 36 positions at 203 × 203 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- Tend2027-07-31 to 2027-09-30
Inspect the center for bolting and check leaf undersides; flowering plants will not resume normal heads. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- Harvest check2027-09-02 to 2027-10-08
Cut a small usable head at soil level; clear roots before filling its position again. The 40–55-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- Clear / review2027-10-11 to 2027-10-11
Remove spent plants and check the soil before a successor starts. 7 harvest days and 3 clearing days are planning allowances; actual crop condition decides the changeover. Record actual harvests or losses. Keep healthy perennial clumps if you are not reusing their space; revise the next planting accordingly.
B · Small round radishesPhase 1 · batch 1
- Sow2027-08-13 to 2027-08-27
Use a small round spring variety, not daikon; avoid sustained hot weather. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- Seedlings2027-08-16 to 2027-09-06
Thin early after emergence; a crowded root will not size well. Thin toward 256 positions at 76 × 76 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- Tend2027-08-20 to 2027-09-30
Check swelling roots; maintain even moisture and clear any spent batch before re-sowing. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- Harvest check2027-09-07 to 2027-10-08
Pull one sample root at edible size; remove woody or flowering plants before another batch. The 25–35-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- Clear / review2027-10-11 to 2027-10-11
Remove spent plants and check the soil before a successor starts. 7 harvest days and 3 clearing days are planning allowances; actual crop condition decides the changeover. Record actual harvests or losses. Keep healthy perennial clumps if you are not reusing their space; revise the next planting accordingly.
What to buy
Owned items are deducted before buying.
| Supply | Required | Already owned | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raised-bed growing mix | 604.1 L | 0 L | 16 × 40 L bags |
| Position labels (reuse after a crop clears) | 292 each | 0 each | 292 each |
| Measuring tool | 1 each | 0 each | 1 each |
| Gentle watering tool | 1 each | 0 each | 1 each |
| Compact pak choi · A | 80 seeds | 0 seeds | 80 seeds |
| Small round radishes · B | 564 seeds | 0 seeds | 564 seeds |
Mix: 604.1 L theoretical × 1 allowance = 604.1 L; minus 0 L owned = 604.1 L net. Buying 640 L leaves 35.9 L beyond the net requirement. Allowance is your choice; no fixed compaction loss is assumed.
Your full season
15 weeks, through harvest checks and bed clearing. Check off each week as you work.
01Prepare and begin2027-07-01 — 2027-07-07To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- Measure the usable space. Prepare 604.1 L of raised-bed growing mix before allowance. Count heads at thinning and remove bolting plants. Reserve a clear-bed date after the final head harvest.
02Check, tend and act · week 22027-07-08 — 2027-07-14To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- Check the next dated stage, keep unused soil protected and record any actual harvest or crop loss before changing the plan.
03Check, tend and act · week 32027-07-15 — 2027-07-21To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- Check the next dated stage, keep unused soil protected and record any actual harvest or crop loss before changing the plan.
04Check, tend and act · week 42027-07-22 — 2027-07-28To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Direct sow. Choose a small-heading pak choi; heat or cold stress may trigger premature flowering. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Thin toward single plants and avoid damaging neighboring shallow roots. Thin toward 36 positions at 203 × 203 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- Recount surviving plants before buying replacements. Check remaining seed, seedling and growing-mix inventory.
05Check, tend and act · week 52027-07-29 — 2027-08-04To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Direct sow. Choose a small-heading pak choi; heat or cold stress may trigger premature flowering. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Thin toward single plants and avoid damaging neighboring shallow roots. Thin toward 36 positions at 203 × 203 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Inspect the center for bolting and check leaf undersides; flowering plants will not resume normal heads. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
06Check, tend and act · week 62027-08-05 — 2027-08-11To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Direct sow. Choose a small-heading pak choi; heat or cold stress may trigger premature flowering. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Thin toward single plants and avoid damaging neighboring shallow roots. Thin toward 36 positions at 203 × 203 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Inspect the center for bolting and check leaf undersides; flowering plants will not resume normal heads. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
07Check, tend and act · week 72027-08-12 — 2027-08-18To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Thin toward single plants and avoid damaging neighboring shallow roots. Thin toward 36 positions at 203 × 203 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Inspect the center for bolting and check leaf undersides; flowering plants will not resume normal heads. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Direct sow. Use a small round spring variety, not daikon; avoid sustained hot weather. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Thin early after emergence; a crowded root will not size well. Thin toward 256 positions at 76 × 76 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
08Check, tend and act · week 82027-08-19 — 2027-08-25To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Inspect the center for bolting and check leaf undersides; flowering plants will not resume normal heads. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Direct sow. Use a small round spring variety, not daikon; avoid sustained hot weather. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Thin early after emergence; a crowded root will not size well. Thin toward 256 positions at 76 × 76 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check swelling roots; maintain even moisture and clear any spent batch before re-sowing. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- Recount surviving plants before buying replacements. Check remaining seed, seedling and growing-mix inventory.
09Check, tend and act · week 92027-08-26 — 2027-09-01To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Inspect the center for bolting and check leaf undersides; flowering plants will not resume normal heads. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Direct sow. Use a small round spring variety, not daikon; avoid sustained hot weather. Plant only when the seed packet and local weather conditions agree.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Thin early after emergence; a crowded root will not size well. Thin toward 256 positions at 76 × 76 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check swelling roots; maintain even moisture and clear any spent batch before re-sowing. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
10Check, tend and act · week 102027-09-02 — 2027-09-08To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Inspect the center for bolting and check leaf undersides; flowering plants will not resume normal heads. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut a small usable head at soil level; clear roots before filling its position again. The 40–55-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Check emergence and thin. Thin early after emergence; a crowded root will not size well. Thin toward 256 positions at 76 × 76 mm when true leaves appear. Keep stronger seedlings. Re-sow gaps only when temperatures and remaining season are suitable.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check swelling roots; maintain even moisture and clear any spent batch before re-sowing. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pull one sample root at edible size; remove woody or flowering plants before another batch. The 25–35-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
11Check, tend and act · week 112027-09-09 — 2027-09-15To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Inspect the center for bolting and check leaf undersides; flowering plants will not resume normal heads. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut a small usable head at soil level; clear roots before filling its position again. The 40–55-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check swelling roots; maintain even moisture and clear any spent batch before re-sowing. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pull one sample root at edible size; remove woody or flowering plants before another batch. The 25–35-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
12Check, tend and act · week 122027-09-16 — 2027-09-22To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Inspect the center for bolting and check leaf undersides; flowering plants will not resume normal heads. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut a small usable head at soil level; clear roots before filling its position again. The 40–55-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check swelling roots; maintain even moisture and clear any spent batch before re-sowing. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pull one sample root at edible size; remove woody or flowering plants before another batch. The 25–35-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- Recount surviving plants before buying replacements. Check remaining seed, seedling and growing-mix inventory.
13Check, tend and act · week 132027-09-23 — 2027-09-29To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Inspect the center for bolting and check leaf undersides; flowering plants will not resume normal heads. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut a small usable head at soil level; clear roots before filling its position again. The 40–55-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check swelling roots; maintain even moisture and clear any spent batch before re-sowing. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pull one sample root at edible size; remove woody or flowering plants before another batch. The 25–35-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
14Check, tend and act · week 142027-09-30 — 2027-10-06To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Inspect the center for bolting and check leaf undersides; flowering plants will not resume normal heads. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut a small usable head at soil level; clear roots before filling its position again. The 40–55-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Tend the growing crop. Check swelling roots; maintain even moisture and clear any spent batch before re-sowing. Check moisture, surviving plants, weeds, support and visible crop stage; adjust to rain, heat and drainage.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pull one sample root at edible size; remove woody or flowering plants before another batch. The 25–35-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
15Finish and review the season2027-10-07 — 2027-10-13To do
- Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Cut a small usable head at soil level; clear roots before filling its position again. The 40–55-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- A (Compact pak choi), batch 1: Clear and review the planting. Remove spent plants and check the soil before a successor starts. 7 harvest days and 3 clearing days are planning allowances; actual crop condition decides the changeover. Record actual harvests or losses. Keep healthy perennial clumps if you are not reusing their space; revise the next planting accordingly.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Check harvest readiness. Pull one sample root at edible size; remove woody or flowering plants before another batch. The 25–35-day range begins at direct sowing; check the cultivar and actual crop. Record what is actually ready; this estimate is not a yield guarantee.
- B (Small round radishes), batch 1: Clear and review the planting. Remove spent plants and check the soil before a successor starts. 7 harvest days and 3 clearing days are planning allowances; actual crop condition decides the changeover. Record actual harvests or losses. Keep healthy perennial clumps if you are not reusing their space; revise the next planting accordingly.
- Review harvest and crop-loss records, clear or retain plants as appropriate, and update remaining stock before planning the next season.
Assumptions and sources
- Spacing is for the selected compact planting method; follow your cultivar packet where it differs.
- Seed allowance and minimum root-space limits are planning choices, not germination or yield guarantees.
- Dates are preparation windows, not forecasts. Confirm soil temperature, weather and actual crop stage.
- First fall frost is a conservative planning boundary, including for hardy crops. Continuing beyond it needs suitable local guidance and protection.
- Harvest and clearing durations are planning allowances. A successor waits for the final preceding batch to clear; actual crop progress may move those dates.
Fall plans use a 14-day buffer beyond estimated maturity. Successors wait for the final preceding batch, including its harvest allowance and clearing period. The lifecycle shows those crop-specific windows; the zone must actually be empty. Minimum sun and root-space thresholds are planning limits, with cultivar and climate variation.
- UMD Extension: Growing leafy greens in a home gardenKale and pac choi can be direct sown or transplanted; partial shade is possible. Fall planning adds 10–14 days to maturity for shorter days. We select 14 days and compact-cultivar bed cells; dates are conditional. Accessed 2026-10-13.
- UMD Extension: Growing vegetables in containers and salad tablesSun exposure, drainage, growing media and crop-specific minimum volumes; our thresholds are conservative planning settings. Accessed 2026-10-13.
- UMN Extension: Planting the vegetable gardenCool and warm season establishment; weather and soil readiness matter. Minnesota month dates are not used as global dates. Accessed 2026-10-13.
- UMN Extension: Planting for fall harvestMaturity is a cultivar-dependent estimate; our extra 14-day fall buffer is an explicit planning assumption. Accessed 2026-10-13.
- UMN Extension: Growing radishesSmall round radishes need thinning; our 3-inch cells exclude large daikon varieties. Accessed 2026-10-04.
Plan garden-35 · version 2 · calculation 2. Actual germination, harvest and local climate performance have not been field tested.
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