Flax

A 3 foot plant with lavender-blue flowers, Flax is the source of both linen and linseed oil. Medicinally it is good for skin inflammations. Also known as common flax or linseed flax. 500 seeds     PLANTING Linum usitatissium   Annual Germination: 7-14 days Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 60-65ºF Seed Planting Depth: Sow 1/8” deep Starting Indoors: Start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Provide 60-65ºF soil temperatures.  Sow a few seeds per cell. Transplant after the last frost, 4-6” apart. Sowing Outdoors: Mid-spring when the soil temperature reaches 60-65ºF. Sow seeds close, 10-12 seeds per foot. Growth Habit: Slender upright, lightly branching Height and Width: 36” x 8-12” Spacing: 4-6” apart Light Needs: Full sun  Soil Needs: Fertile, well-drained  Flowering:  50-60 days Harvest: Seeds are ready 40-50 days after the flowers bloom. Pull plants from ground, tie together in bundles then hang them upside down in a cool, dark area to dry for a few weeks  Uses: Culinary, medicinal, flower gardens beds and borders, filler for flower arrangements, flowers attract bees and beneficial insects Care: Water well during prolonged dry periods, helps the plants bloom longer. Keep well weeded, does not compete well with weeds Tips: Sow a few times a season, every 3-4 weeks for continuous blooms. Cutting back stems can prolong blooms