Hi Anelson, Thanks for the advice! As for starting new bok choi plants, it’s only going to get hotter for the next several months, so I’ll have to wait a bit and choose a different variety next time. I just thought I could wait til the last second (the bitter end, hehe) with the the ones I have. I simply don’t know what that point looks like.

Yes in general letting your bolting brassicas flower is good for the beneficial bugs.
Note also: buds of bolting brassicas make good stir fry vegetables, and flowers can be added to salads.

Wow! Such a wealth of knowledge to thank everyone for sharing! I find it rather droll that my bok choi- the most munched on (by BAD bugs) crop in my garden would attract beneficial bugs when I don’t want it anymore. Poetic justice?!

As for gathering seeds, I’m thoroughly obsessed with the process of germination, so you can be sure I’ll be letting some go to seed. In fact, my whole veggie garden is planted from seed. It’s supposed to be less expensive than buying plants but, I’m not sure that was my experience. However, I’m one of those people who could spend too much money in the middle of a deserted tundra- we all have our talents! Back on topic, Micro Gardener, I shall eagerly read your article, THANKS!

@royceag, I live in the Raleigh area and I have a similar problem. I grow about 6-7 basil plants a year. Out of those plants I always let one go completely to seed to feed the bees, birds and beneficial insects. Also, the seeds scatter and sometimes I get volunteer seedlings the next spring.

To slow the bolting, I try to plant Basil in places with afternoon sun. This year I am growing one plant in a pot so I can move it to a part sun location in the heat of summer.

Finally, basil clippings roots really easily. Try clipping off a section now and root indoors. After 3 weeks you will have a plant(s) ready to provide basil throughout the rest of the year.

Cherokee Motley, For some reason I read it as you meant it- in other words, our minds think alike! I’ve noticed that the basil I do have in the afternoon shade is very happy. In fact, it is only the lemon basil trying to bolt, the other varieties are on schedule.

Frankly, I wish my worst garden problem was a few plants bolting. I’m suddenly inundated with some nasty little black & yellow buggies dropping down from the crepe myrtle trees. They’re EVERYWHERE and I’m sure they’re not beneficial bugs. I’m very tempted to go on a mass murdering spree with the dreaded Sevin spray. I’ve put so much time into being as organic as possible but I’m feeling overwhelmed by their sheer numbers. But then I wonder where the honey bees are…..

Hi Royceag

I think you have shared an important lesson for many gardeners – learning to identify insects in our garden before taking action. There is much to be learned from understanding Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles which basically mean working WITH nature … allowing the pest-predator balance to work itself out. When ladybirds are visiting your garden that means there is a food source for them – often aphids – but they also feed on other ‘pest’ insects and take care of these issues without us even knowing! The other thing to remember is just like we start out as babies and change our looks as we become adults, so do insects! Larvae are just one part of the life cycle so learning to identify baby insects is just as important.

I wrote a post on identifying and coping with caterpillars for this very reason because there are only a few that are ‘pests’ and eat your veggies – the rest are just butterflies in waiting. At the end of the article, there are some useful website links and books you can use to identify insects which you might find handy. Hope this helps.