Bring on the POWER of FLOWERS!!!
Beautiful, Bountiful, yield-boosting Blooms! Harness the power of flowers to boost and protect your crops as well as wildlife. We all know that flowers are good for wildlife, but which are the best ones to grow? Ben reveals his top tips on what to grow, when to grow it and ways to get started in this week’s episode. Get ready to see your blossoms BLOOMING!!!
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Our team of passionate plant nerds have been hard at work for many many months, thoroughly researching the science behind beneficial plants, bringing you tried and tested Evidence-Based Companion Planting methods. All of this in depth information and more is available on our online Garden Planner software (as shown in the video).
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In my garden everything has to be deer resistant or protected by wire. So for flowers that means marigolds, zinnias, Dusty Miller, Petunias, Verbenas, ornamental peppers, and similar things that stink, prickle, taste bitter, are sticky, or covered in velvet. It has not been unusual in past years to see 30 deer in the quarter acre I've staked out for my vegetable garden. I'm still hopeful.
im growing even more flowers this year! I cant wait I love to see them and to watch the bees and insect! I cant wait to see how well they take off
I live in oak creek Wisconsin in the US. Last year I tried to grow acorn squash but every plant was a male. No females so no fruit. Could I have prevented this? I planted it next to yellow wax beans and butternut squash which did produce fruit. Our soil is amended with peat moss and mushroom compost. I also haven’t seen many honey bees this year. Thanks for any and all help. I’ll definitely put in more beneficial flowers
I had to brassica bids ten feet apart. What have a lot of volunteer dill pop up all over the bed and had absolutely no pests bother it. The other had no dill and didn't do nearly as well.
Thank you, I had completely forgotten to plan for pollinating helpers in my garden this year. I like to start them early & get them out there. Most of my reseeders don't start blooming till late summer. -up high in New Mexico.
Hold up. What program were you ising on the table for planing?
Ben, where did you get your metal arches from please?
Annuals
1. Calendula
2. Nasturtium
3. Poached eggplant (Limnanthes)
Half Hardy Annuals
1. Allysum
2. Marigold
3. Zinnia
Flowering Herbs
1. Basil
2. Parsley
3. Dill
4. Chives
5. Rosemary
6. Sage
Calendula can also be used to make salves and other medicinals. I plant marigolds every year…but I collect flower heads and start them indoors every year. (It helps me handle that "desperate impatience" that overtakes most of us every year!) I have 'Mary Garden' that is devoted to the lovely zinnia every year. I always plant lots so I have some for cutting. I also have cone flowers, daylilies, and hostas scattered around my vegetable garden just for the variety. I'm going to give some space to the herbs you talked about . I've never really gotten much going in the herb department, so this will be the year.
I loved the display of the snow drops at the beginning of this video. I have a stand of these in my yard that I started from bulbs I dug up when I moved from my last home. I've tried to naturalize them beneath my apple trees, along with some jonquils, grape hyacinths, and crocus for early flowers. (I planted a miniature 'orchard' of dwarf apple trees a couple of years ago so still waiting on them to reach fruiting size.) While spring bulbs don't do much for bees (except for tulips) they do lift one's spirits!
Your enthusiasm is downright infectious! And reading the comments here provides quite a lot of inspiration as well. I'm so glad to have found your channel! (And your dog is so cute!)
you shouldnt have your dog in the beginning of your video! He was so truly adorable, i was totally distracted thinking about him and had to go back and watch you again! lol. seriously though he is very sweet!!
Marigolds arena favorite of butterflies.. i did not see our honeybees go after the marigolds much, but they absolutely loved the squash and pumpkin flowers, a gold mine of pollen in those
I love how the British explain gardening
Lovely video. I'd love to plant them all, but space is limited. So marigolds for sure, parsley and basil, and – um – will give this still more thought. Isn't this just the BEST time of year …. the getting ready part!
I always learn so much from your videos! Thank you!
Borage….was a great bee attractor last season
As a permaculturalist I approve the use of annual self-seeders.
-Calendula/pot marigold is edible itself and actually can be perennial in US hardiness zones 9-11.
-The same is true of nasturtiums; I’ve planted them in my veggie garden and they too are edible.
-I’ve not used poached egg plant/Limnanthes.
As for the frost sensitive/half-hardy annuals:
-I’ve not used alyssum but have seen it used as edging on veggie beds.
-Marigold and zinnia are pretty and I did not realize they were good veggie companions.
I adore sweet peas, they attract the giant bumblebee, who's appearance and deep buzzing always makes me happy.
Thank you so much! I just got into gardening last year with my first real crack at growing vegetables (potatoes, beans, carrots and tomatoes, the tomatoes did great, the others…nit so much). I have been watching your channel for a while now and I've never thought about flowers but it makes SO MUCH SENSE! Im headed to the atore today to pick up some seeds!
Thanks again!
I will grow sweet alyssum, marigolds, and perhaps calendula. I have flowering herbs already. Is the vegetable you are about to grow pumpkin?
Does Calendula really provide all those repellent services? Or is it actually Tagetes that does that? Both being called "Marigolds", but Tagetes has a much stronger smell, and its roots exude compounds that are proven to kill nematodes.
Tithonia aka Mexican sunflower or Mexican torch. They are a butterfly magnet. The bees love them too. Warning: they are quite tall, about the height of corn. Need full sun. If you deadhead them, they will bloom throughout mid summer to the end of the season
Just found your channel, am absolutely loving it! Just what I was looking for and you should be on tv, your passion and enthusiasm are infectious.
I absolutely love nasturtium! I pop them around my gardens and in planters and enjoy that spicy flavor. Wild greens, fresh figs, goat cheese and nasturtium salad!
Love your videos thank you !!
WONDERFUL TIPS THANKS BEN
Excellent video thank you…