Bok Choy, Pak Choi, Chinese Cabbage

(Lycopersicon esculentum )

A popular crimson red medium tomato with great taste that tolerates low night temperatures, so it is ideal for cooler area. A Russian heirloom that is an early producer. A tough and vigorous producer that needs staking.

An attractive cultivar medium sized, scarlet red fruit that is full of flavour. Tolerant of cool night temperatures and ideal for cool climate gardens

Flavours/Food Partners

A rich flavored tomato that partners well with Latin herbs like garlic, oregano, marjoram, rosemary and thyme. Use with any good salad vegetable, Nasturtium flowers and mixed fresh herbs to make an attractive and tasty salad.

Health/Cooking/Medicinal

Like all tomatoes, Red Russian is high in the cancer fighting agent, Lycopene and also Vitamin C. For a classic rich sauce cook and mix with garlic, marjoram, sweet basil, diced shallots, and fresh pizza thyme. Finely dice, mix finely chopped shallots, fresh pesto basil and extra virgin olive oil and place on lightly toasted Turkish bread then top with an anchovie for a special homemade bruschetta.

Landscaping/Planting

Plant in an airy, sunny position in well drained soil or very large pots. Requires a 1.1 to 1.4 m stake.

Cultivation/Fertiliser

Like all tomatoes it must receive a deep soaking when almost dry and should not receive overhead watering. Feed regularly with Seasol and Powerfeed. A small amount of dolomite lime after planting will make stronger plants. Remove side shoots and develop two or three main leaders. Harvest when fruit is full color

Herb Attributes

Position Full Sun
Height 1.2m
Width 50cm

Description

(Brassica rapa chinensis)

A compact growing annual with attractive white stems and green leaves.

Flavours/Food Partners

Tatsoi, Bok Choy, Mizuna, lettuce in salads or other leafy greens in stir-fries and soups. Pak Choi and Bok Choy are basically the same plant but Bok Choy has white stems.

Health/Cooking/Medicinal

Like most leaf vegetables it is high in vitamins C & K and potassium, iron and calcium. It is best eaten in stir-fries and lightly steamed but also tastes nice eaten raw in salads and sandwiches. Toss in wok with fresh broccoli florets, soy sauce and chilli jam. Can also be added to soups and stews.

Landscaping/Planting

Prefers moist but well drained soil in a part to full sun position. Will tolerate heavy frosts.

Cultivation/Fertiliser

Fertilise with Seasol and PowerFeed in spring, summer and autumn. Harvest when leaves are about 15cm long. Excellent for repeat harvesting and the more you use it the better it will perform.

Herb Attributes

Position PART TO FULL SUN, HEAVY FROST
Height 60CM
Width 40CM