Best Tips On Which Edible Flowers Are Good as Container Plants and Which Ones To Plant Together.
An edible flower container garden is a wonderful way to be able to experience the joy of having a garden when you don’t have one! And growing flowers you can eat is very easy to do.
Click here for some helpful tips on growing edible flowers in pots and some advice on which edible flowers do well planted together.
Step-by-Step Process For Planting An Edible Flower Container Garden For Plants That Like Sunny Conditions
Materials:
- Container with drainage holes
- Potting soil
- Edible flower seeds/plants (see below for suggestions)
- Watering can
- Fertilizer (optional)
Steps:
- Choose a container that is suitable for the size and number of plants you plan to grow. Make sure it has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
- Fill the container with potting soil, leaving enough space to plant the plants
- Work from the centre out when planting your seeds or seedlings. For the centre of the container, select a tall edible plant such as:
- Miniature Roses
- Pineapple sage
- Pentas
- Sunflowers – use the miniature sunflowers which will be very effective in the center depending on how big your container is
- Cosmos also will make a good centre plant of larger container, as it grows to a couple of feet tall
4. For the next section out from the center (middle section) choose smaller plants such as:
- Marigolds:
- Dianthus:
- Pansies
- Violas
- Linaria
- Dwarf snapdragons
5. Choose trailing edible plants to plant around the edge of the container, such as:
- Trailing nasturtiums: Nasturtiums trail and spill over the edge of a container, making them a great choice for adding a cascading effect to your container garden. The flowers and leaves are edible and have a peppery flavor.
- Lobelia – you can get tremendous effect with bright coloured cascades of flowers
- Sweet alyssum
- Trailing pelagoniums
- Plant your seeds or seedlings according to the instructions on the packet or label. Make sure to water them thoroughly after planting.
7. Place the container in a spot that receives full sun, such as on a sunny patio or balcony. Make sure to water the plants regularly, but avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot. If desired, you can fertilize the plants with a balanced fertilizer once a month to encourage healthy growth and abundant blooms.
8. Monitor your plants regularly for signs of pests or disease. Remove any dead or diseased foliage promptly to prevent it from spreading to other plants.
9. Enjoy your beautiful and bountiful edible flower container! Harvest the flowers as needed and use them to add flavor and color to your meals and drinks.
How To Harvest Your Edible Flowers
Use this Edible Flower Care Guide for best practices in harvesting and storing your edible flowers.
Edible flowers should be harvested in the morning, before the heat of the day, when the moisture content of the flower is still high. Snip the flowers close to the head and store in a closed container in the fridge where they can be stored for a couple of days.
For best results the flowers should be used as soon as possible to ensure the best flavor and nutritional value.
Remember to taste the flowers before using them to make sure that any strong flavors don’t negatively influence the plate you’re garnishing.
