[Anton]

I was dismayed yesterday to find that nearly all my leaf beet plants are bolting. These were grown from seeds I used last year. They got off to a slow start because of attacks from slugs. Two weeks ago there was a very hot period during which the plants were not watered because there are only rapidly diminishing barrels of water in the allotment and I thought the plants were well established. We were starting to eat them. My questions are why did they virtually all start to bolt and is it too late to grow some new ones?

Anton

[noshed]

Mine has done that as well so I'm having another go. If you've plenty of seed, might as well try.

[amckeen]

Cut them down to soil level and use what leaves are okay.  The plants should grow more leaves okay.  I have been picking leaves off my plants for 2 years now - they gat a bit tougher as they are older but if you pick them off small they are still very nice.

[Anton]

Amckeen. I'm intrigued. How do you mean cut them down to soil level and use what leaves are left?
I'm also amazed that you leave your plants in for two years. Mine die off in winter only to arise again in spring (from which we get a couple of meals) but then bolt a month later, whereupon I get rid of them and grow some new plants.

Anton

[savbo]

hmm i was wondering about this, should I treat my leaf beet and Chard as annuals and replant in spring or should I leave them in as semi-permanent (started planning next year's layout already...)

M

[amckeen]

My chard and leef beet have now been in place for 2 winters.   I pick leaves off them for each meal usually but when they bolt (as this past month) there are usually a few leaves on the long stems that grow.

If you cut everything down to the level of the soil you can pick out leaves you want to eat.  The plants will regrow fairly quickly.  I will probably replace them next year.