Well congratulations on your first grow. This is actually my first grow as well.
As to flushing, well you can find as many opinions on that as there are people it seems like, but Ed Rosenthal's grow book encourages growers to flush, and many experienced growers flush. Personally, I don't see the need for it, as I know of no vegetable that we flush for better taste, and I have grow a lot of vegetables in my day. But I will be flushing simply because all of the various experts I have read recommend it.
At the end of the plant cycle, and I mean very end (last two weeks before harvest), I want the leaves to just begin to turn yellow. Yellowing fan leaves mean the plant is pulling nutrients from its own plant material to help plant processes. This also reduces the number of leaves I have to cut, and you definitely want the leaves out of your buds as the chlorophyll is what gives bud a harsh taste on the back of your throat.
As to flushing, well you can find as many opinions on that as there are people it seems like, but Ed Rosenthal's grow book encourages growers to flush, and many experienced growers flush. Personally, I don't see the need for it, as I know of no vegetable that we flush for better taste, and I have grow a lot of vegetables in my day. But I will be flushing simply because all of the various experts I have read recommend it.
At the end of the plant cycle, and I mean very end (last two weeks before harvest), I want the leaves to just begin to turn yellow. Yellowing fan leaves mean the plant is pulling nutrients from its own plant material to help plant processes. This also reduces the number of leaves I have to cut, and you definitely want the leaves out of your buds as the chlorophyll is what gives bud a harsh taste on the back of your throat.