How Do You Prevent Plants From Bolting In A Garden?
Although all vegetables will eventually go to seed, bolting happens when a plant suddenly matures much sooner than it should as a result of a sudden change in temperature from cool to hot. It’s easy to tell when a plant has bolted, because it will send out long shoots topped by flowers that will eventually contain seeds. Once the plant has bolted, the plant will be tough, inedible and destined for the compost heap. Although any plant can bolt, bolting can occur very rapidly with leafy plants such as lettuce, spinach or chard. Read the seed packet carefully when you purchase vegetable seeds. Some strains can tolerate heat better than others, making them more bolt resistant. If you purchase vegetable starts instead of seeds, look for young starts and avoid those that are near maturity. Plant vegetables early in the spring so the growing will take place before the weather turns hot. Or plant them in late summer for an autumn harvest. Vegetables such as lettuce and spinach grow very quickl
