BOLTING PLANTS
Bolt – To produce flower & seed Prematurely –
This can be caused by sudden low & high temperatures, , drought, sowing seeds at the wrong time. Plants under stress may respond by bolting so they can produce seeds before they die
Can You Eat a Plant After it Bolts?
Once a plant has fully bolted, the plant is normally inedible. The plant’s entire energy reserve is focused on producing the seeds, so the rest of the plant tends to become tough and woody as well as tasteless or even bitter. Annuals will inevitably flower but good growing conditions will encourage rapid growth and formation of a usable portion (lettuce hearts, for example) and so an adequate crop should develop before flower production.
Blog & Research Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)
