Flowers, are they worth it?

[Sara]

Hi everyone,

Could you help me out with a question? I know you're all keen fruit and veg growers, but are you interested in flowers, too? I recently met a gardener who thought all ornamental plants were a waste of space. I'm not sure I agree – I like watching sweet peas draw more pollinators to a veg crop.

What do you think? Do you grow inedible plants on your plot, or would you rather use the space to produce more vegetables?


Your comments may be edited and published in GYO's November issue

[Nicos]

Hmmm...I want to vote for the 2nd and 3rd- but it won't let me

[zazen999]

1, 2 and 3.

[Bren In Pots]

I wanted 1,2 and 3 but it wouldn't let me so I clicked 2 in the end. I like the idea of mixing flowers amongst my veg.

[Sara]

Oh dear, I should have thought of that. I'll edit the poll to give you a wider reaching option.

[Elise]

They use flowers etc to deter pests, don't they? Something like; carrot fly don't like - say - magnolias; so plant 'em by the carrots to keep them away. Best of both worlds.

[Bren In Pots]

Yes, they're worth growing for several reasons (please list these below!

because its really a combination of 1,2 and 3. what I tried to for for in the first place.

I'm trying to organic in my garden so I use flowers for companion planting and to attract beneficial insects, bugs and bees.

[lbt]

Are flowers on the allotment a good thing?

Hi

I want to plant a variety of flowers to encourage pollinators onto the allotment but more importantly to provide a sources of food for our declining bee population.

My question is whether having flowers where you grow fruit and veg is a good thing or not? I know that some flowers attract bugs such as aphids (nasturtiums) and I can't help but wonder if they would be there if it weren't for the flowers.

On the allotment this year, there is soooooo much whitefly and I wonder if this would be worse if I plants lots of flowers?

I plan to plant lots of marigolds in between the plants, because I am aware that they repell some pests, and also a long row along one of the long edges of the allotment as well as some clematis on the trellis that will surround it.

Would love to hear anyone thoughts or experiences on this please.

many thanks

[bramble]

same as everyone else. Mixture of 1, 2 and 3.

[vicky]

Same as everyone else I voted for 1.2 and 3.
Also flowers are bright, beautiful, smell fabulous and make you happy!

[binley100]

I edge the beds with french marigolds and nasturtiums. I grow borage and perennial geraniums for the bees.
My problem is that a lot of flowers seem to taste yummy to the wabbits.......

[tiachica]

1,2 and 3 here too. Apart from that, with this really dry summer we had (before the rain kicked in) flowers were the only thing growing nice, especially the poppies and cornflowers, so it made me cheer, when everything else was suffering from lack of water.

[binley100]

Yup i'm going for 1,2 and 3.

[crazii_c]

yeah 1, 2 and 3!

its funny because when i started growing veg i wasnt intrested in flowers at all, but this year i found myself growing flowers from seeds as they bring a bit of colour and the bees love them.

[piskieinboots]

Flowers are a good thing, anytime, anywhere