Organic blue flax
identification
description
Blue flax (Linum usitatissimum), offered by Ferme Tourne-Sol
Blue flax is a slender and elegant plant, cultivated as much for its small brown seeds as for its abundant flowering of tiny sky-blue blossoms . Light and airy, it brings a natural and delicate touch to flowerbeds, while also providing a useful and nutritious harvest. The flowers open successively, giving the garden a changing and luminous appearance over the weeks.
Easy to grow and tolerant of light cold , blue flax is well-suited to spring sowing and northern gardens. Its rapid growth and graceful habit make it an excellent filler plant in naturalistic gardens, while also contributing to plant diversity and soil life.
Type: Annual plant (oilseed and ornamental)
Plant habit: Upright, slender and light
Plant height: Approximately 40 to 60 cm
Quantity per packet: 200 seeds
Maturity: Approximately 90 days
Family: Linaceae
Uses: Seeds, ornamental, naturalistic garden
Companion plants: Chamomile, coriander, nigella, oats, peas
Incompatible plants: No notable incompatibilities
Farming method
Blue flax is sown in spring , either directly outdoors or started indoors and then transplanted. It tolerates a little frost , allowing for early sowing as soon as the soil can be worked. Plant in well-drained soil , even poor soil, and in full sun .
Sow thinly and maintain moderate moisture until germination. To prolong flowering and stagger production, successive sowings can be made every 2 to 4 weeks . Flax requires little maintenance and does not like overly rich soils, which favor foliage at the expense of flowers and seeds.
Harvesting and use
Harvest the seeds when the pods are completely dry . Cut the stems and allow them to dry in a dry place before extracting the seeds. These can be used in cooking or stored for future sowing.
Uses and benefits
Blue flax combines beauty and utility : its blue flowers beautify the garden, while its seeds are valued for their nutritional worth . It is also an excellent choice for gardeners wishing to incorporate simple, hardy, and versatile plants into their vegetable garden.
Growing blue flax means inviting into the garden a graceful, generous and easy plant, which nourishes the eyes as much as the plate.
