What is what to do when arugula flowers?
When arugula flowers, it's a sign that the plant is bolting, meaning it's shifting its energy from leaf production to seed production. Here's what you can do:
- Understand the Taste Change: Flowering often makes the leaves more bitter and peppery, which some people find unpalatable.
- <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Keep%20Harvesting">Keep Harvesting</a>: Continue harvesting the leaves, even after flowering begins. Younger leaves will still be milder in flavor. Cutting the flowering stalks can also encourage new leaf growth.
- <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Cut%20Back%20the%20Plant">Cut Back the Plant</a>: A heavy pruning after flowering can sometimes stimulate a new flush of leaves. Cut the plant back significantly, leaving only a few inches of growth.
- <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Collect%20Seeds">Collect Seeds</a>: If you're interested in saving seeds for next year, allow some of the flowers to mature and dry on the plant. Once the seed pods are brown and dry, you can collect and store the seeds in a cool, dry place.
- <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Succession%20Planting">Succession Planting</a>: To ensure a continuous supply of arugula throughout the growing season, practice succession planting. Sow new seeds every few weeks to have a fresh crop ready as older plants begin to bolt.
- <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Consider%20Removal">Consider Removal</a>: If the leaves become too bitter or you're no longer interested in harvesting them, you can remove the bolting plants and compost them.