Edible flowers are a great addition to salads, fancy desserts, and other treats. Keep reading to learn how you can grow edible flowers in your garden.
It may sound funny, but there are many flowers that are completely edible. Often these flowers are used to color foods or to simply make a dish look fancy.
DISCLAIMER: Don't assume all flowers are safe to consume and please don't eat any plants you are allergic to!
When I first started my garden I had no idea that some flowers could be eaten. Now I grow many flower varieties that can be used in the kitchen. Here are just a few reasons to grow edible flowers in your garden.
Why Should You Grow Edible Flowers
Flowers were more common in the past. In Asia the flowers were used to color rice blue, in Italy squash flowers were made into fried food, and in Europe the flowers were used in teas.
While we still use flowers in teas, other uses for flowers have fallen out of style. So, if you are wondering why you should continue an old practice, here are a few reasons.
Food Coloring
One of the main reasons I started growing edible flowers was to make a natural food dye. Many people (including myself) are sensitive to artificial food dyes.
One great way to add color back into your food without using unnatural food dyes is by growing your own edible flowers!
Make Your Own Teas
Flowers are great to add to teas with each having it's own distinct flavor. Growing herbs and edible flowers in your garden is a great way to grow your own teas.
You can dehydrate these herbs and flowers and combine them to make your own tea mixes!
Novelty
If you are into growing unusual things that you cannot find in the stores, edible flowers are for you. Many people have no idea that some flowers are edible, so grow them in your garden and impress your friends.
Pollinators
Even if you don't eat your flowers, the local pollinators will enjoy having the flowers. More pollinators means more pollination which means more vegetables in your garden, so it is a win-win situation.
How To Grow Edible Flowers
The first thing you need to do is find some flowers that you would like to grow. Here are some varieties that I like to grow in my garden.
- Bachelor's Button
- Nasturtium
- Chamomile
- Safflower
- Calendula
- Butterfly Peas
- Squash
- Buzz Buttons
- Pansies
This is not an exhaustive list, but I have grown each of these edible flowers in my garden and have found them easy to grow. Here are some seed companies that I recommend you buy from.
Growing Edible Flowers
Once you find the type of flower you are wanting to grow, you next need to know how to grow it. Knowing your last frost date is really important to this process.
Once you know your last frost date you will want to read your seed packet to see how many days before your last frost it needs to be sown.
Some seeds won't need to be sown indoors and can be started in the garden while others will need to be started indoors. If you want to make it simpler just grow the varieties that can be started outdoors.
Where to plant your flowers
I grow my edible flowers throughout the garden, because many flowers are also good companion plants. For instance, nasturtiums are great to plant next to your cucumbers.
Most flower plants need full sunlight to grow properly. If your flower plants don't get enough sunlight, they will not flower (which negates the purpose of growing edible flowers).
Once you have your edible flower garden planned out the next thing you need to do is plant your seeds.
Planting tips
When I plant my flowers I find it best to amend the soil with compost or an organic fertilizer. This really helps give your flower plants the nutrients they need to grow well.
You will also want to note if your flowers will need support when they grow. I find that bachelor buttons and butterfly peas both benefit from a trellis or other support.
Waiting for flowers
Your plants are only going to produce green growth until they reach the "days till maturity". Once they reach this date you should start to seed flower buds forming on the plants!
Keep a close eye on your plants because the next step is really important.
How To Harvest Edible Flowers
You have put in a lot of work and now your flowers are blooming! It's time to harvest your flowers, but make sure to follow these tips.
Harvest early
It is best to harvest your flowers early in the day because this is when they will be the best. Harvest your flowers after the morning dew dries. Flowers will be the freshest and contain the highest oil content (this is what gives flowers their flavor) at this time.
If you harvest them before noon and after the dew dries, you will get the best flavor from your edible flowers.
Harvest often
If you want your flower plants to continue producing blooms, you need to harvest often. Once a flower is left on the plant and goes to seed, the plant will stop producing flowers.
To keep the flower plants blooming make sure to harvest your flowers often.
Harvest the flowers only
You aren't going to be using the flowers in a vase so you won't need the stems. When you harvest edible flowers, you only need the flower parts.
The best place to separate the flower from the plant is right below the flower bloom. Often times the green part of the plant is bitter so get as little of that part as possible.
For some flowers you may find it best to strip the petals off the flower head.
How To use edible flowers
Once you have harvested your flowers you may be asking yourself what you should be doing with them. Here are some great ways to use your flowers after you harvest them.
Decorate foods
Add pansies and bachelor button petals to your favorite salad to give it some color. You can also use the flowers in shortbread cookies or other pastries for an edible decoration.
Dehydrate them for later
I dehydrate many of my flowers so that I can use them later in recipes or blend them with other herbs for teas. Use a dehydrator to dry your flowers in.
It is best to set the dehydrator on the lowest heat setting when drying your flowers. After they are good and dry you can put them in an airtight jar and they should last for a year or two.
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