Growing Flax

Three factors contribute to a successful flax crop:

  1. Good soil
  2. Good seed
  3. Good rains

Flax, or Linseed (linum usitatissimum) – the Latin usitatissimum means ’most useful’ – thrives in cool temperate conditions, and is generally sown in early Spring in south-eastern Australia. It prefers a clay, loamy soil with lots of organic matter.

Stoney Creek fosters sustainable farming, and will not sow genetically altered seed.

Growing Flax

Every crop undergoes careful seed selection, with germination tests undertaken prior to sowing.

  • Green shoots usually appear within 14 days of sowing
  • Pale-blue flowers emerge at 6-8 weeks
  • Each flower has a life of less than 24 hours
  • The crop may flower continuously over successive weeks
  • Seed bolls then form and ripen
  • Harvest takes place in mid to late Summer