Flowers to Plant in Your Vegetable Garden

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You may not know it, but adding flowers to your vegetable garden can actually be beneficial! Flowers can help attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which will help improve the yield of your veggies. They can also act as a natural pest control, deterring harmful insects from attacking your plants. So if you’re looking to add a little bit of color and life to your garden, here are some great flowers to plant!

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The Benefits of Planting Flowers in your Vegetable Garden

Planting flowers in your vegetable garden can be a great way to brighten up your outdoor space while also inviting beneficial insects and birds. Not only are they beautiful additions to any yard, but flowers in your garden can help to control pests, as well as support pollinators such as bees that can facilitate healthy growth for other plants.

Furthermore, flowers offer a visually attractive layer of protection for the edible fruits and vegetables you’ve grown. Flowers like marigolds break down root nematodes in soil and attract hoverflies which help keep aphids away – pest predators that feed on plant-eating pests. Definitely an added bonus if you’re looking to have an organic veggie patch!

What Flowers to Plant

Calendula

Calendula, also known as pot marigolds, are bright and beautiful annual flowers that are often grown in vegetable gardens. Not only do they add a pop of color to what traditionally might be drab-looking beds of vegetables, but they also offer many valuable benefits beyond decoration. 

Calendulas are known for their insect repelling properties, helping deter pesky garden pests without the need for harsh treatments or sprays. They can also help attract beneficial bugs like hoverflies and ladybirds that feed on aphids and other damaging insects. 

In addition to being pest repellents and attracting helpful bugs, these cheerful blooms can enrich the soil with key minerals while protecting it from erosion or nutrient loss. Growing calendula is an easy way to keep your vegetable garden healthy and looking its best – a real win-win!

Get Calendulas seeds HERE.

flowers in the vegetable garden

California Poppy

California Poppy is a delicate flower native to the west coast of the United States. It has grey-green foliage and bright orange, yellow, or pink flowers that grow in the spring and early summer months.

Growing California Poppy in your vegetable garden provides a natural source of color and beauty to your outdoor space while providing useful habitat for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Additionally, these native flowers require very little maintenance once established, as they are inherently drought tolerant and need minimal water during their growth cycle.

Not only are they attractive to look at but also quite easy to grow – why not consider adding some to your garden today?

Our favorite California Poppy Seeds –Sow Right Seeds – Poppy Flower Seeds

German Chamomile

German Chamomile, also known as Matricaria recutita, is a fragrant annual herb that grows in warm and temperate climates. With its distinctive daisy-like flowers and lush green foliage, it brings beauty to any garden.

Best of all, it’s incredibly versatile – not only does it attract pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, but it can also help ward off certain unwanted pests from your vegetable garden.

Growing German Chamomile next to your veggies will instantly enhance their flavor while keeping away bothersome bugs! Plus, you can drink the tea made from these lovely blooms to soothe everything from colds and upset stomachs to anxiety and insomnia.

With so many potential benefits and its bright colors, growing German Chamomile could just be the perfect addition to your vegetable patch!

Get Chamomile seeds HERE

Nasturtium

Nasturtiums are a unique and interesting flower to grow in your vegetable garden. They not only look beautiful, but they are also edible and they have numerous health benefits.

Nasturtiums have large round leaves, usually ranging from bright green to yellow/gold, with five petals that can be orange, red or yellow. The petals are shaped like saucers and are held up by long stalks.

These plants require full sun but will tolerate light shade for a portion of the day.

In addition to providing color and texture in your garden, Nasturtiums help protect your other vegetables from harmful insects because they naturally deter a variety of pests such as aphids and beetles.

Additionally, their flowers and leaves can be eaten in salads or used as garnishes on various dishes – adding flavor to your meals as well!

Fun fact: some call Nasturtium “Indian cresses” because of their origins within South America. With all these great benefits it’s no wonder why gardeners love growing Nasturtium in their vegetable gardens!

Our favorite Nasturtium-Seed Needs, 350+ Nasturtium Seeds for Planting

flowers in the vegetable garden

Sweet Alyssum

Sweet Alyssum is an attractive annual flower that adds beautiful color and texture to your vegetable garden. Its sweet-smelling, tiny flowers bloom in shades of white, pink, purple or lavender and attract bees and other pollinators.

Growing sweet alyssum in your vegetable garden helps improve the quality of vegetables by increasing pollination levels, and also provides protection for veggies from pests like aphids and flea beetles.

And it’s a simple plant to grow – just sow the seeds directly onto prepared soil, water every two days during dry spells, and enjoy its display of blooms in only 4-6 weeks.

So why not give your garden the added beauty of Sweet Alyssum? You won’t regret it!

Get sweet alyssum seeds – HERE.

Zinnias

Zinnias are a cheerful and easy-to-grow type of garden flower that come in a variety of bright colors and sizes. They are sure to turn any vegetable garden into an eye-catching display!

Zinnias grow quickly from seed, have long-lasting blooms, can handle drought, and love sun – in fact, they must have at least six hours of direct sunlight each day in order to thrive.

These resilient flowers can even survive mild frosts!

What’s more, zinnias attract beneficial insects such as butterflies and bumblebees, so having them growing in your vegetable patch could help to keep pest populations down.

All in all, adding zinnias to your vegetable garden makes it easier to maintain while giving it loads of vibrant life and color.

But Zinnias aren’t the only cut flower to grow in your vegetable garden, Learn more about cut flowers and their benefits HERE.

flowers in the vegetable garden

Tips for Planting and Caring for Your Flowers

Planting and caring for flowers in the garden can be a rewarding experience. The first step is to choose the best location for your plants. Make sure that there is plenty of sunlight and watch out for areas where water may pool after rains. 

A good choice of soil is also essential for the roots to be well-aerated and nourished with nutrients. When planting, it is important to ensure that there’s enough space between them so they will have room to grow. 

Once planted, water regularly but don’t go overboard – check the moisture in the soil each time as over watering will prevent oxygen from reaching the roots and can potentially cause root rot. 

Additionally, fertilize as needed with a balanced fertilizer and deadhead faded blooms to encourage more flowers growth. 

Finally, watch out for pests or diseases – regular inspections can help catch any issues early on, helping keep flowers healthy and beautiful!

Recipes for Your Veggies & Flowers

Adding flowers to vegetable recipes can add a unique touch to your meal. For example, stirring chopped pansies into carrots and potatoes while they sauté creates beautiful colors and an interesting texture as you chew. 

Additionally, adding nasturtiums to a mixed salad will give a creative twist to the usual routine – don’t forget to add a few of the zesty leaves in with the greens as well! 

You can also consider using violets and jasmine in stir fry; the subtle sweetness compliments savory Asian sauces beautifully. 

Finally, don’t forget about edible flower-infused dressings or dips – blossoms such as chamomile, lavender and calendula lend their flavor and aroma when infused into creamy sauces or crunchy compression salads. 

Try something different next time you cook veggies; flowers and vegetables are a delicious combination worth exploring!

Stay Organized!!

This garden planner has everything you need to plan a successful garden. There’s space to take notes, set goals, and jot down your wishlist for your garden. Plus, it’s printable!! The Garden Planner and Journal will keep you organized and give you a place to take notes and reflect on your garden.


Check it Out!

Don’t Be afraid to Break the Rules

Every gardener should be encouraged to explore the possibilities of using different plants in their garden. Combining distinct varieties can give an attractive and unique appearance, creating a space that truly stands out from the rest. 

Plus, some plants benefit from having certain companions close by, aiding the others’ growth or repelling pests. There is a wonderful array of combinations to experiment with – from subtle bedding plants, to vibrant flowers, scented herbs and many more – so why not venture off the regular paths and see what visually stimulating landscape awaits?

flowers in the vegetable garden

Planting flowers in your vegetable garden is a great way to attract pollinators, improve the health of your plants, and add beauty to your yard. 

There are many different types of flowers that can be planted alongside vegetables, so choose a few that appeal to you and give them a try. With proper care, these flowers will thrive in your garden and provide you with bountiful harvests for years to come. 

And don’t forget to enjoy the fruits (and flowers) of your labor by cooking up a flavorful dish featuring both vegetables and blossoms. What are your favorite flower-vegetable combinations?

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