Good day, brilliant members of this lovely community! I'm here today to share some findings from some research I did on gardens and flower arrangements. Despite the fact that this is my very first contribution to this forum, I am looking forward to participating. Therefore, feel free to share your thoughts and opinions below.
from PxHere
For those who might not think they have room for flowers in their vegetable garden, but who would like to reap the benefits of having them there anyhow, consider the following. Insect pollinators, or "beneficial insects," are drawn to flowers
You should plant flowers in your garden if you want a bumper crop of fruit and vegetables, but you should do it anyway because they serve many purposes. Did you know that if you make the proper choices, you may improve your harvests, save money, get rid of pests and weeds for free, and even get fertilizer and plants for nothing?
Strong Arguments in Favor of You Keeping a Flower Garden
The cultivation of a food garden devoid of flowers is a challenging endeavor. Flowers are required for the production of fruit and vegetables.
Because of the way I've planned out my small kitchen garden, it always includes at least a few plants that bloom at some point during the year. I believe that you should cultivate at least a few flowers in your vegetable garden, and I'm going to give you six strong reasons why you should do so.
1. Useful Flowers from Companion Plants Having companion flowers that also bloom is like having 'friends' with perks! They perform a useful service for the local flora and you, the gardener. Flowering shrubs of an appropriate height provide welcome shade for heat-sensitive ground covers, and fragrant blooms can mask the presence of nearby vulnerable crops.
Planting flowering herbs among your fruit and vegetable plants is a great way to increase the aesthetic appeal of your garden while also providing a beneficial ecological balance.
2. To maximize crop yields and as well maximize the number of healthy pollinators.
Butterflies, wasps, birds, and native bees, among many others, are vital pollinators, and they are drawn to flowers because of this. As with humans, flowers can entice honeybees. Some research suggests that using bees for pollination can enhance crop yields even in self-reproducing species. Instead of planting fruiting crops like eggplant, citrus, berries, or zucchini if you're having difficulties generating a good yield, try planting flowers. Vegetable and fruit pollination rates will increase when these insects collect pollen from surrounding plants and transfer it to others. Greater yields are the natural consequence of this action.
Flowers that have a very deep gullet can store moisture in the form of dew or liquid for later use. The more the time these pollinators spend in your garden, moving from blossom to flower for nectar and pollen, the more likely it is that your garden will benefit from increased pollination.
3. Medicinal and Delicious Eatables
A plate of salads.
Source from Pxhere
There is nothing more eye-catching than a platter decorated with edible flowers or a salad topped with petals. Edible flowers, especially those grown organically, are a delicious and nutritious addition to any meal. With so many options available in terms of color and type, it's easier than ever to boost the variety of phytonutrients in your diet. Nasturtiums, calendula, borage, pansies, and violas are all lovely options. It is important to properly identify flowers before consuming them, grow them without chemicals, and thoroughly wash them.
Plants like sunflowers, coriander, and chia blossoms yield seeds that are high in protein and can be easily grown in many temperate regions.
4. Zero-Cost Fertilizer
If I had to guess, I'd say you still haven't accepted the reality that every flowering plant in the legume family (which includes peas and beans) has the potential to "fix nitrogen" in your soil. They can provide natural, free fertilizer for your plants. In a symbiotic relationship with bacteria known as rhizobia, legumes like peas and beans add nitrogen to the soil. Rhizobia convert nitrogen into a form that other plants can use. What a wonderful thing to say! Such plants include, but are not limited to, legumes like peas, beans, and sweet peas, grasses like lucerne/alfalfa, and herbs like Wynn's cassia, barrel medic, wisteria, and clovers. It is possible to reduce fertilization costs by connecting with nature and growing only a small number of these specialized blooming plant species.
If the plant is planted as a cover crop and then broken up and used as mulch when it has completed growing the leaves, stems, and flowers can all be used as organic matter to aid in the development of healthy soil. This is how I use nasturtiums, among other plants.
5. Cheaper Prices on Recently Cut Flowers
There's no denying the sensual satisfaction brought on by beautiful, aromatic blossoms. The fragrance of a rose in full bloom or a vase of freshly cut flowers is enough to make anyone drool.
Growing your fragrant flowers at home eliminates the need to worry about being exposed to the pesticides and other chemicals used in commercial flower production. When you buy flowers, do you ever stop to think about where they came from or what methods were used in their cultivation? You might be surprised to learn just how many chemicals have been used to treat these flowers to get rid of any flaws in the blooms. That's... not such a great plan.
People who appreciate sensory gardens can also gain from the alluring aroma of aromatic flowers. If you're feeling down, a stroll through the garden and a deep inhalation of the fragrant flowers will do wonders to brighten your spirits. Putting a pot of fragrant flowers on a table in the garden or planting some fragrant flowers close to a bench is a lovely idea.
Bringing your garden indoors has more than just aesthetic value. Numerous flower species are capable of doing this. You may save money and still decorate your home with beautiful seasonal blooms. A bouquet of these flowers is sure to put a smile on anyone's face and brighten any room.
Source from pxhere
All of us could use a little more joy in our lives, and flowers have a way of doing just that. Nasturtiums and other edible herb blooms like coriander and parsley blossoms look beautiful when displayed in a vase on the table. Excellent source of digestive enzymes as well!
Bergamot, salvia, cosmos, zinnia, coreopsis, and marigolds are just a few of the many beautiful flowers that can be preserved and enjoyed for a long time. Dried petals from flowers like roses, chamomile, sweet peas, and lilacs, as well as any other fragrant flowers, can be used to create a pleasant aroma in a bowl.
There are also flowering forms of many native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. Therefore, with some careful preparation, you may only need an extra pot or two here and there. I hope that these pointers inspire you to get outside, get your hands dirty, and start growing some beautiful flowers so that you can reap the many benefits of doing so.
References
•Straus, Rebecca. “Gardening Experts Say You Should Always Plant Flowers in Your Vegetable Patch.” Good Housekeeping, www.goodhousekeeping.com, 23 Apr. 2020, https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/a20706525/plant-flowers-vegetable-garden/.
• Gibson, Anne. “13 Benefits of Growing Flowers in Your Vegetable Garden - The Micro Gardener.” The Micro Gardener, themicrogardener.com, 31 July 2018, https://themicrogardener.com/13-benefits-of-growing-flowers-in-your-vegetable-garden/.
•Overdeep, Meghan. “Why You Should Always Plant Flowers with Your Vegetables | Southern Living.” Southern Living, www.southernliving.com, 11 May 2020, https://www.southernliving.com/news/vegetable-garden-flowers-companion-planting#:~:text=Growing%20flowers%20in%20your%20vegetable,%2C%20breed%2C%20and%20produce%20food.
