Overwintering guide
How to overwinter bok choy 'black summer'
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills bok choy 'black summer' in winter
Cutting bok choy 'black summer' hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More bok choy 'black summer' care
- Overwintering turnip — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Full bok choy 'black summer' care guide
- Bok Choy 'Black Summer' temperature range
- How often to water bok choy 'black summer'
- How to prune bok choy 'black summer'
- Common bok choy 'black summer' problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering bok choy 'black summer' — FAQ
Does bok choy 'black summer' need to come indoors for winter?
Bok Choy 'Black Summer' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 2 — winter lows around -46°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Bok Choy 'Black Summer' is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move bok choy 'black summer' for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water bok choy 'black summer' in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills bok choy 'black summer' over winter?
Cutting bok choy 'black summer' hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.