Have you ever wanted to plant flax seeds but didn’t dare because you didn’t know if they would catch them, grow them or even know how to grow them? Don’t worry, you wouldn’t be the first to have doubts.
For that, if you want to enjoy laundry (beyond commercial cultivation and yes as decoration) here we are going to give you all the keys that you must take into account so that it succeeds and, above all, so that you have a pot or a field full of pale blue flowers. You dare?
Contents
When is flax planted?
The first thing you need to know about flax seeds is when to plant them. In case you don’t know much This plant is annual. which means that it is born, grows, blossoms and then dies. With luck, the flower seeds fall to the ground and in the spring germinate, giving you more flax again.
They are not plants that grow a lot, they can reach a meter in height, but the most beautiful thing about them are their flowers.
And of course you get the seeds from them. It is it is better to plant them after the cold, that is to say around February or March, it is at this moment that everything begins to awaken. They are very easy to grow and even easier to propagate, so we don’t think you have a problem with them. Of course, they only last between 130 and 150 days alone (their full cycle).
The steps for planting flax seeds
Now that you have an idea of when you should plant them, and some curious flax facts, let’s break down the steps to consider when planting flax seeds.
Prepare the place where you will plant
First, you must have determined where you are going to plant the flax seeds. This is important for two reasons:
- On the one hand, because growing flax will need a lot of direct sun. If you put them in a semi-shaded area, they will grow, yes, but not as much as in the sun. And in the shade, although it can grow, it won’t grow much (and you’ll have a harder time getting it to flower).
- On the other hand, because it needs very nutritious soil to grow. Flax is a plant that needs good soil to germinate. Therefore, if your land is clayey, you will have to plow a lot to avoid having very compact areas (which he hates and does not tolerate at all). When choosing a good soil, it is better to opt for sandy soils.
And of course, keep compost or fertilizer on hand as flax is very nutrient demanding which you will need to add during the growing season for it to grow strong and thrive.
Prepare the seeds
If you have already purchased flaxseed, or saved it from last season, there is some professionals who, to activate them and make them germinate faster, put them in a glass of water for 24 hours to hydrate them and at the same time “wake them up”.
In your case, you can do the same, or you can plant them directly in the ground.
How to Plant Flax Seeds
You already have the seed and the soil where you are going to plant them. As we have already told you, you can do it in the garden (in the ground) or in a pot. Now how do you plant them?
You should know that the seeds are small and fine, so, as is the case with the cultivation of tomatoes, they should not be hidden too deeply, but it is better to throw them on the ground and cover them very lightly to prevent birds or other animals from catching them. take.
Then, with an aerosol can containing water and fertilizer, you need to spray water to moisten the soil. Keep in mind that flax is a plant that likes moist soil, but it tolerates neither excess nor lack of water. It will therefore be necessary to check at the beginning to know what is the ideal period for your plants.
In general, they are usually watered once a week, always from below so that the water does not fall on the foliage.
As they grow, you’ll need to weed out any plants that you see weaker or won’t finish coming out.
An important aspect that we recommend is that mark a good separation between the plants. Normally it is recommended to leave a space of about 30 centimeters between the plants so that they can develop properly. Of course, flax is not a plant that develops many roots, they are rather short.
Also, from time to time it is necessary to prune the flax so that the air circulates throughout the plant. It will also prevent the appearance of diseases and pests.
What care is important
Finally, now that you’ve planted the flax seeds, all you have to do is wait for them to germinate, grow and blossom. And for that it is important to provide him with the care he needs. Specifically:
- A lot of sun. The more direct sun they get, the better for the plant.
- Adequate watering. No more no less. For this you will have to adapt to the needs of your plant (because it will depend on the weather, the temperature…).
- Subscriber. During the growing season this is very important, as well as during flowering.
- Size. Being able to let it breathe and at the same time sanitize it with weaker plants, which die or tangle the plant itself.
pick up flax
More or less late summer is when the flax is harvested. More precisely to pick the fruit, small balls which will be dark green and which, pressed a little, will open and let out an oily liquid. It’s very appreciated. But what you won’t know is that the longer you let it mature, the better the seeds will be for next year.
Apart from fruit flax stalks are also used to make textiles. These are usually harvested when fully ripe. However, if you want to produce fiber, cut it during flowering.
As you can see, planting flax seeds is not difficult at all and you could do it in your garden to enjoy beautiful blue flowers. In addition, being so easy to propagate, you will have no problem so that the following year you can continue to enjoy the plant. Of course, be careful if there is a lot of wind as this could cause the seeds to scatter and eventually you will have flax in more parts of the garden.