If you love gardening and cooking, why not combine the two by growing edible flowers alongside your favorite herbs? Edible flowers are those flowers, that you can eat. They add vibrant colors to your garden, as well as bring unique flavors and a touch of elegance to your meals. In this blog, we’ll explore how to grow edible flowers with herbs, the best combinations to try, what to do, what not to do, tips and tricks and hacks to help your garden thrive. Even if you’re new to gardening, read the blog and you will be a pro!
Best Edible Flowers to Grow with Herbs
Not all flowers are edible, so it’s essential to choose varieties that are safe to eat. Some of the best edible flowers you can grow with herbs is given below:
- Nasturtiums: It has a peppery flavor similar to arugula. Nasturtiums is perfect for salads and garnishes. It’s bright, colorful flowers make a stunning addition to any herb garden.
- Calendula: Many people also call it “pot marigold”. Calendula has a mild, slightly spicy flavor. The petals of this flower can be used in soups, salads, and even rice dishes.
- Pansies: These flowers are not only pretty but also have a mild, lettuce-like flavor. Add them to salads, desserts, or use them as a garnish.
- Chamomile: Famous for its calming properties, chamomile flowers are great for making tea. You have to plant it alongside herbs like mint or lemon balm.
- Borage: Borage flowers have a mild cucumber taste, making them a great addition to drinks, salads, or ice cubes for a fancy, elegant touch.
- Lavender: Lavender is known for its lovely fragrance. But lavender is also edible and adds a floral note to desserts, teas, and baked goods.
- Violets: They are sweet and colorful. Violets are ideal for garnishing cakes, adding to salads, or using as decoration on cocktails.
How to Grow Edible Flowers with Herbs
1. Choose the Right Location
Like most herbs, edible flowers need plenty of sunlight to thrive. Choose a spot in your garden or windowsill that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. If you’re limited on space, you can grow them in pots or containers.
2. Prepare the Soil
Both herbs and edible flowers need well-draining soil. If you are planting in containers, use high-quality potting soil with added compost to ensure your plants get the nutrients they need. If you’re planting in the ground, loosen the soil and mix in organic compost to create a healthy growing environment.
3. Companion Planting
Edible flowers and herbs often make excellent companions, as they can grow well together and even benefit each other. For example, nasturtiums can help deter pests from your herbs, while borage attracts nature’s pollinators. Here are a few pairing suggestions:
- Nasturtiums and Basil: For Pest Reduction and attract pollinators.
- Calendula and Parsley: Calendula attracts beneficial insects that help parsley thrive.
- Lavender and Rosemary: These two mediterranean plants love dry, sunny conditions and look very beautiful together!
- Borage and Mint: Borage attracts pollinators, and mint grows well in its shade, creating a perfect friendship.
4. Watering and Care
Both herbs and edible flowers require consistent watering, but be sure not to overwater them! Most herbs prefer the soil to dry out a bit between waterings. On hot days, make sure your flowers and herbs get enough water, especially if they are in containers.
Deadheading (removing dead flowers) is also important for edible flowers like calendula and pansies. This helps the plants focus their energy on producing more blooms.
5. Fertilizing
Herbs and edible flowers don’t need a lot of fertilizer, but you can use an organic, all-purpose fertilizer every few weeks to give them a boost. Avoid heavy feeding, because too much fertilizer can affect the flavor of both your herbs and flowers.
Harvesting Your Herbs and Edible Flowers
Knowing when and how to harvest your edible flowers and herbs is key to ensure fresh, flavorful ingredients for your kitchen.
- Herbs: For herbs like basil, thyme, and rosemary, regular harvesting is good for bushier growth. Snip the leaves or stems just above a leaf node to promote more growth.
- Edible Flowers: Pick flowers early in the morning, just after the dew has dried. This is the best time because in this time they are the freshest and have the best flavor. Use scissors to cut the blooms, and gently rinse them under cool water before using.
How to Use Edible Flowers and Herbs in Cooking
Now that you’ve grown your herbs and edible flowers, it’s time to get creative in the kitchen! Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
- Salads: Toss nasturtiums, pansies, and violets into a fresh salad for a burst of color and flavor.
- Teas: Brew your own herbal teas by combining chamomile, mint, or lavender flowers.
- Desserts: Decorate cakes, cupcakes, and cookies with edible flowers like pansies, violets, and calendula petals.
- Garnishes: Add some fresh rosemary or a borage flower to cocktails for a fancy touch.
- Herb-Infused Oils: Create herb-infused oils by adding fresh basil, rosemary, or thyme to olive oil, along with a few edible flower petals for added beauty.
Tips for Success
- Start Small: If you’re new to gardening, start with just a few herbs and flowers. As you learn and gain confidence, you can expand your garden.
- Use Organic Methods: Since you’ll be eating both the herbs and flowers, it’s best to avoid chemical pesticides. Instead, use organic pest control methods like companion planting or insecticidal soap.
- Rotate Plants: If you’re growing in containers, rotate them every few days so all sides get equal sunlight.
Growing edible flowers with herbs is a fun and rewarding way to create a garden that’s not only beautiful but also practical. Plus, the bright, colorful flowers will make your herb garden amazing!
So why not give it a try? And share your experience by commenting!
