{"id":6880,"date":"2021-09-27T06:37:55","date_gmt":"2021-09-27T06:37:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecofamilylife.com\/?p=6880"},"modified":"2024-02-26T01:13:24","modified_gmt":"2024-02-26T01:13:24","slug":"basil-plants-bolting-why-it-happens-how-to-stop-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecofamilylife.com\/garden\/basil-plants-bolting-why-it-happens-how-to-stop-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Basil Plants Bolting | Why it Happens + How to Stop it"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Basil plants will bolt when the weather gets too hot, especially when the temperature is consistently above 80\u00b0F (27\u00b0C). Basil flowers will form on the end of the plant and the basil will go to seed. This will turn the leaves bitter and the stems will become woody. Prevent basil from bolting by planting it in early spring and harvesting it regularly<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supermarket basil can often bolt rapidly after planting. The rapid change in temperature will trigger the plant to bolt and grow see. Basil will be grown out of season in greenhouses and shipped to supermarkets to be used easily in cooking. These plants can be tempting to plant out in mid summer but it can cause the plant to bolt. Basil is an annual plant and grows best went planted in early spring after frosts have passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Basil<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This article will explore why basil plants bolt and how you can stop this from happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why basil plants bolt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Basil plants will form flowers and seed<\/a> pots when the plant is left untrimmed or when the weather turns hot in summer. At the end of the summer season the basil plant will be getting ready to reproduce for the next season and will flower and set seed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The basil plant will lengthen, growing tall and reaching up high. Basil flower buds will form on the end of the stems and if left there they will be pollinated by insects. These flowers will then form small seed pods on the end of the basil plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a basil plant bolts, growing flowers and setting seed the leaves will turn bitter. The plant will focus its energy on the flower stalk and seed growth and will stop growing new leaves. The flowering stem will harden going woody and holding the seed pod up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left on the seed swill dry and drop to the ground. These can be collected in a paper bag and replanted the next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Basil<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to stop basil plants from bolting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are my top tips for preventing your basil plant from bolting. This will keep it growing lots of leaves for your recipes and stop the flower and seed pots from forming on the end of the plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Prune regularly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Regular pruning is the key to stopping your basil plant from bolting during the spring and summer season. A basil plant that is left untrimmed will grow a long, tall stem and eventually a flower head on the end of the plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pruning the plant by trimming off the top 1-2 inches off. Remove the top 4 leaves of the plant by pinching it off with your fingertips, trimming with kitchen scissors or using sharp secateurs. When harvesting large amounts, remove the top 1\/3 of the plant to encourage it to branch out and grow<\/a> new stems and leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regularly trimming basil, at least every 2 weeks during spring will prevent the plant from bolting, growing flowers and setting seed. This will give you lots of tender and sweet basil leaves for many months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Plant basil in early spring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Planting basil in early spring after frosts have passed is a great way to prevent bolting. A mature plant will be triggered to grow flowers once the weather turns hot in mid and late summer. Plant new basil seedlings out in early spring and again in mid spring will give the plant more time growing leaves instead of bolting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basil plants can be available all year round even from supermarkets. Growing these out of season in the winter months or late summer season can lead to rapid bolting as the plant experience rapid temperature changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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