Definition: When a plant bolts, it sends up a tall flower stalk in a very short period of time. This means that the plant has gone to seed and will decline in terms of flavor. We generally use this term in relation to vegetable gardening, where plants such as lettuce and spinach are notorious for bolting once the weather gets hot.

Also Known As: Going to seed

Examples: I love spinach, but I have a very short window of time in which to grow it because it bolts once the weather gets hot.