Why Your Lettuce Is Bolting and What to Do About It
Understanding seasonality in your vegetable garden.
It’s one of the most common questions I hear this time of year:
“Wait… what do you mean it’s done?!”
It usually comes up during a coaching session or Garden Care Club visit. I’ll take one look at a leggy lettuce plant or a suddenly sky-high cilantro and gently say, “This one’s done.”
Cue the confused look.
You didn’t do anything wrong. This is just what certain crops do, and it’s one of the most important lessons in vegetable gardening.
Cool-Season Crops Don’t Like Summer Heat.
What every new (and seasoned!) gardener needs to know.
Most people are aware that planting too early in the spring can risk frost damage. But we don’t talk enough about the other side of the calendar:
Some crops are simply not suited for summer.
Lettuce, spinach, radishes, cilantro… these are cool-season lovers. Once the summer heat settles in, their inner clocks go into overdrive.
They grow fast. They flower. They “bolt.”
What Does “Bolting” Mean in the Garden?
It’s one of those gardening terms that sounds ominous, but really it just means this:
Instead of producing leafy greens, it’s trying to reproduce. That change in focus makes it less edible, but it doesn’t mean you failed. Bolting is a natural part of the plant’s life cycle.
This isn’t about your soil. It’s not a watering issue. It’s timing. It’s rhythm. It’s seasonal intelligence, something your plants already know, and something you can learn to read, too.
What to Do When Your Crops Bolt
Once you understand seasonality, you realize: you’re not stuck. You have options.
Replant for a second harvest. That bolted lettuce? Pull it and replace it with beans, peppers, or basil. You can absolutely get another round of production going! No wasted space here.
Choose heat-tolerant crops: Want to keep things low-effort? Plant something that sticks around longer. Kale, chard, rosemary, hot peppers…these are the slow and steady wins of summer.
Give yourself permission to pivot. Gardens don’t exist to stress us out. If it’s not the season for a certain crop, let it go. Choose what works for your time, energy, and lifestyle. It all counts.
Ready to Grow With the Seasons Instead of Against Them?
That first wilted lettuce or bolting cilantro can feel frustrating… but it’s not a failure. It’s a moment. A shift. A natural part of the rhythm.
Watch my free masterclass: The Keys to Growing Easy Veggies with Confidence.
Inside, I’ll walk you through:
The real timing mistakes that trip up most new gardeners.
Which crops are beginner-friendly and season-sensitive.
How to plant and plan with your garden’s natural rhythm in mind, so things actually grow the way you want them to.
This isn’t about working harder. It’s about understanding the why behind what’s happening, so you can respond with clarity and confidence.
Grab the class here and let’s keep growing together.
