Family: Flax (Linaceae)

Annual, 100 to 120 days to harvest

(Linseed)  Native to temperate Europe and Asia. Flax is pretty in the garden, with the added advantage of yielding fiber and a valuable seed crop. Homegrown organic linseed is very tasty as an addition to breads or cereals, and since rancidity can be a problem, it is very nice to grow your own to assure that it is entirely fresh. If taken alone, supplement with plenty of water.  Cultivation: Easy to grow. Cultivate an area of good soil in the spring and strew the seed on the surface, working in with your fingers. Pat down soil surface and water. The plant grows best in a self-supporting patch, not in a carefully defined row. The distinctive sprouts appear quickly and tend to out-distance weeds, as they grow quite rapidly to 2 feet tall. One packet contains 200 seeds and covers approximately 40 square feet.

Certified Organically Grown