By Larry Hodgson
Bolting, also called going to seed, is one of those arcane horticultural terms that throws beginning gardeners. When a plant “bolts,” that doesn’t mean it is running away, of course, but instead that has started to flower or go to seed prematurely. And by “prematurely,” I really mean before the gardener wanted it to. (It may seem the perfect moment to flower from the plant’s point of view!)
Bolting means the plant has gone beyond the vegetative stage in its life and has begun taking the next step: flowering. This is bad news for many herbs and leaf and root vegetables, like spinach, lettuce, parsley, basil and radishes, as not only do they stop producing more of the edible part the gardener wants, but their leaves or roots often become bitter or fibrous and are no longer edible.
Hot or dry conditions often stimulate bolting, so you can delay it by keeping the soil cool and moist (a mulch may be helpful) or by sowing the plant in a cooler season. Many leaf vegetables, for example, grow best in spring or fall, even winter in mild climates, but bolt rapidly during the summer. Yet other plants, like onions or carrots, may bolt after they go through a prolonged cold snap.
Growing plants well is the best way to prevent bolting … and it can be helpful to grow varieties said to be slow to bolt or resistant to bolting.
Article originally published in this blog on March 27, 2017.
Ich hab beim Gärtnern auch schon erlebt, wie mein Kopfsalat plötzlich diesen langen, dünnen Blütenstängel geschossen hat — bis ich gelesen habe, dass das bolting bzw. „ins *Blühen/Zur Samenbildung gehen“ ist, also die Pflanze ihre Energie auf Samen statt auf Blattwachstum lenkt
Wow, this makes so much sense now! I used to think my plants were just dying early, but it turns out they were bolting. Really appreciate the simple explanation and the tip about keeping the soil cool — super helpful for beginner gardeners like me.
This is such a clear and helpful explanation of bolting! I always wondered why my spinach and basil suddenly turn bitter. The tips about keeping the soil cool and choosing slow-to-bolt varieties are really useful — thanks for breaking it down so simply!
Makes you wonder what they’re really tracking.
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