Bolting Vegys

at2wooden 3/18/2014, 9:09 am

I planted my lettuce and broccoli the beginning of February and they were growing like crazy.
2 weeks ago the lettuce all bolted. Now I am seeing tall spindly flowers growing up from one of my broccoli.
We've had 2 -3 weeks of 75 - 85 degree weather here.
I am bummed.

On the plus side, the asparagus bare roots I planted 2 weeks ago already sprouted.
Unknown what my actual success will be with asparagus in zone 10.
I was finding conflicting information, but the website I got it from said it would grow in zone 10 so I thought I'd give it a shot. (We don't get many chill hours here)

CapeCoddess 3/18/2014, 10:52 am

Were the lettuce & broc in shade?

CC

at2wooden 3/18/2014, 11:04 am

I planted them in the beds closest to my southern fence.
As we moved into spring, my semi-shade disappeared.

quiltbea 3/18/2014, 12:31 pm

Most lettuces and cole crops, like Broccoli, don't like temps over 75*F so when it starts getting warm, they should be mulched heavily to keep their roots cooler and shade cloth provided to keep off the warm sun. Otherwise, they bolt.
The exception is cabbage which can grow from spring right thru the warm days of summer.

**sanderson** 3/18/2014, 1:18 pm

My kale is bolting. I'm sure the bok choy is not far behind. I'm cutting outer leaves and freezing them.

Will bolting change the flavor of my leafy greens?

at2wooden 3/18/2014, 2:37 pm

Drat! I'll try to get some shade on the broc to save what I can!

quiltbea 3/18/2014, 3:27 pm

When lettuces and cole crops bolt, the crops get bitter-tasting. Some Asian greens it won't change the flavor much and the flowers on those are even tasty to eat in salads. It depends on the greens.

Yardslave 3/18/2014, 4:29 pm

My broccoli is bolting also- kind of looks like a bride's bouquet- darned heat!. The flowers can be used in salads, but I'd prefer them as a side dish.

**walshevak** 3/18/2014, 8:53 pm

I have had kale live through a NC 100 degree summer, under tulle which you would think would not provide any shade. But I'm convinced it does just a wee bit. Swiss chard and collards can stand the heat. Lettuce, broccoli, peas and cauliflower don't make it. But usually they don't bolt until the temps get above 85 and the night temps get very warm.

Kay

**sanderson** 3/19/2014, 1:29 am

Wait, Weren't we recently complaining about the cold?? Very Happy

at2wooden 3/19/2014, 9:11 am

Moi? Maybe a little whining about not getting enough chill hours for blueberries. Smile

audrey.jeanne.roberts 3/19/2014, 11:53 am

Yeah! I was gone for 2 weeks and my Chinese Cabbage is looking more like broccoli in the center and quite a bit of my lettuce has bolted. Fortunately, I had planned for that and planted seeds before I left and they're just getting started.

I'm going to put my old window sheers over the frame on the lettuce table top early this year as it's been so warm.

quiltbea 3/19/2014, 4:28 pm

When I use shade cloth/cheesecloth to keep heat away from my crops, I hang them or drape them so that they are not right on top of the crops. I don't want to trap heat within the fabric. I like it draped between the crop and the sunshine.
Bolting Vegys Shadec14

Like the above pic shows. This was to prevent the tomatoes and greens from the excessive 90*F heat we were having last spring. I like air flow beneath the cloth.

Bolting Vegys Seed_s11

I also put cheesecloth over the newly-transplanted tomatoes for a day or two even after hardening off. It protects them from too much sun when they are trying to get established in their new home.

Remember, if you are trying to protect from the heat, don't trap the heat around the plant.

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