A Complete Guide to Bok Choy Companion Plants

I. Benefits of Companion Planting

Pest Control: Natural companions can repel harmful insects. They will attract them away from your prized plants.

Disease Prevention: Some plants can release substances into the soil. This prevents diseases from taking hold.

Improved Soil Health: Companions can add nutrients to the soil. They also help with weed control. This keeps the ecosystem in balance.

Enhanced Growth and Flavor: The right companion can also influence growth patterns. This leads to healthier and more vibrant produce.

II. Best Companion Plants for Bok Choy

A. Leafy Greens

Lettuce: A visual and culinary complement to bok choy. Lettuce shares similar preferences for soil and water. The shallow roots also mean it won't compete with bok choy for nutrients.

Spinach: A natural defender against leaf-eating insects. Spinach can help protect bok choy from pests. It also contributes its iron-rich leaves to your table.

Kale: This robust green doesn't mind the cooler temps that bok choy enjoys. Its hardiness can provide some structural support for the more succulent bok choy.

B. Herbs

Mint: It has a strong scent. This acts as a natural deterrent for pests. Its rapid spread also means it will fill in open ground quickly. This reduces the risk of weeds taking over vacant spots in your garden.

Basil: It can repel harmful insects like thrips. Basil also enhances the flavor of bok choy when cooked together. This is a classic example of bok choy companion planting.

Cilantro: It attracts beneficial insects. For example, hoverflies. The hoverfly larvae are voracious aphid eaters. Its tall, delicate structure also provides a nice contrast to the sturdy presence of bok choy.

C. Alliums

Garlic: Its pungent bulbs and strong aroma serve as a natural insect repellent. For the bok choy, garlic's protective nature can ward off aphids and cabbage moths. Garlic promotes a healthy underground network of roots. Bok choy will access a richer nutrient base.

Onion: It has a characteristic pungency and a layered defense system. The aroma and taste of onions are unappetizing to many pests. This prevents them from making a meal of bok choy leaves.

Chives: Although less pungent than its allium kin, chives still emit a scent. This is disliked by many pests and can protect neighboring bok choy from harm. Their compact growth makes them ideal for interplanting among bok choy.

D. Legumes

Peas: Peas are cool-season legumes like bok choy. Their delicate tendrils and leaves offer just enough shade for bok choy without overshadowing. Once the peas are harvested, their residues enrich the soil.

Beans: Beans have a symbiotic relationship with rhizobium bacteria in the soil. They use it to fix nitrogen. For example, bush beans or pole beans. Their vertical growth style and airy canopies make them ideal for companion planting bok choy.

E. Flowers

Marigolds: These colorful flowers can repellent pests. They can deter nematodes in the soil.

Nasturtiums: They attract aphids away from bok choy. Chard drawing the pests to their leaves instead.

Calendula: This bright bloom is both beautiful and beneficial. It can attract pollinators. Calendula also repel numerous harmful insects.

III. Companion Planting Techniques

A. Intercropping

Intercropping involves planting bok choy alongside other beneficial plants. Carrots are classic intercropping partners for bok choy. Because their roots don't compete with each other. The carrot leaves naturally repel pests that bother bok choy. In addition, their different root structures help with soil aeration and minimize disease spread.

B. Planting in Guilds

Plant guilds are about creating a supportive community around a central plant. A bok choy guild might include aromatic herbs (dill and mint can repel pests) and root vegetables (beets can decompose roots). This can offer vital nutrients to the soil and the plants around them.

C. Succession Planting

You can grow and harvest multiple crops in the same space if the season allows. For bok choy, planting quick-growing vegetables between the rows. For example, radishes or lettuce. By the time the bok choy is mature, these shorter vegetables will have been harvested. This makes efficient use of your garden space.

D. Trap Cropping

Trap cropping offers a more enticing alternative to the pests that trouble your main crop. In the case of bok choy, nasturtiums or white mustard can distract aphids. Swiss chard can draw leaf miners away from the delicate leaves of the bok choy.

IV. Tips for Successful Companion Planting for Bok Choy

A. Proper Spacing

Give your plants room to grow and flourish. Crowding can lead to competition for resources and hinder optimal growth.

B. Regular Monitoring for Pests and Diseases

Keep a watchful eye on your garden. Address issues as soon as they arise. Early intervention can maintain a healthy ecosystem.

C. Mulching

Organic mulch can aid in water retention, weed suppression and temperature regulation. It's especially useful for bok choy. This keeps its shallow root system cool and moist.

D. Crop Rotation

Avoid planting bok choy in the same spot the following season after harvesting. Instead, rotate it with unrelated crops to reduce the risk of diseases. These can build up in the soil over time.

E. Bok Choy Bad Companion Plants

Not all plants get along. Some may compete for the same resources. For example, arugula, broccoli, cabbage etc. They may even release chemicals that hinder each other's growth. You can ensure the compatibility by using a bok choy companion planting chart.