Tokyo Bekana
Brassica Rapa

days to maturity: 21 baby; 45 full size
plant spacing: 2 per square foot
sunlight requirements: 6-14 hours
look out for: stem borer worms and aphids
harvest notes: harvest as baby greens or harvest larger heads like a chinese cabbage

Tokyo Bekana, also known as “pei tsai” is a mini chinese loose leafed cabbage head that can be used as a young leaf, or a mature head. Bright, light green leaves are curly and ruffled and used most often as an alternative to romaine lettuce. Crunchy watery stems and delicate tops are best eaten raw but can also be wilted or steamed. This green is fast growing and should be added to any varietal home garden. Direct seed at close spacing for cut-and-come- again young leaf harvest, or plant seedlings approximately 8 inches apart for mature cabbage-like head harvest. Because of its plant family tokyo bekana is much more heat tolerant than many greens and is a great choice for fall or spring planting. 

First photo courtesy of Prarie Flower Farm Stand.