Family-Friendly Edible Flower Gardens for Every Space
Of course, you know you can grow your own fruits, veggies, and herbs. But what about some of those gorgeous flowers you put into vases—did you know they can be just as satisfying on your plate? Take mealtime up a notch by experimenting with the produce you’ll get from an edible flower garden. Sprinkle them on salads, bake them in cakes, mix them in drinks, or just grab a handful of petals and chow down. There’s no wrong way to eat flowers once you know they’re totally safe, super tasty, and, well, kind of exciting!
It’s easy to grow an edible flower garden in any amount of space you call home. Just don’t forget that plants get hungry, too. A month after you’ve nestled them into their permanent homes, start applying Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food, according to label directions, so you get even more beautiful, edible blooms. Here are some of the best varieties to plant in a raised bed, container garden, or single pot.
For Backyards: Edible Flower Raised Bed Garden
Fill your raised bed with flowers that look good, smell good, and taste good! Here’s what you’ll need for a 4-foot-square edible flower garden.
What you’ll need:
- 9 pansies
- 2 chives
- 1 nasturtium
- 4 bachelor’s buttons
- 1 tropical hibiscus
- 2 signet marigolds
- 1 bee balm
- 1 borage
- 1 anise hyssop
- Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Raised Bed Mix
What to do:
Keep your pansies, nasturtium, and marigolds—flowers that grow closer to the ground—around the edges so they’re sure to get enough sun. Plant the hibiscus, anise hyssop, and chives behind or next to them, since they’re a favorite snack for pollinators. Place the rest closer to the center, since they’re tall and help repel any pests that might be lurking around in the shadows. As for spacing, always follow the instructions on your seed packet or plant tag.
Note that pansies and chives bloom in the spring, so you can swap them out for additional marigolds or bachelor’s buttons as temperatures rise. If you loved their flavor, replant more pansies when the temps cool down come fall.
For Decks & Patios: Edible Flower Container Garden
Whether you’re short on yard space or just want a deck filled with beautiful blooms, a group of containers allows you to enjoy edible flowers just outside your back door.
What you’ll need:
- 18-inch pot: 2 nasturtiums and pansies as space allows
- 12-inch pot: 1 anise hyssop and signet marigolds as space allows
- 12-inch pot: 3 bachelor’s buttons and 1 borage
- Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose Container Mix
What to do:
Plant the 2 nasturtiums in the middle of your 18-inch pot and surround it by pansies (follow the spacing guidelines on the plant tag). Surround your anise hyssop by as many signet marigolds as the plant tag calls for in a 12-inch container. Borage will grow about a foot taller than bachelor’s buttons, so stick it in the center of a 12-inch pot and surround it with 3 bachelor’s buttons.
Remember that soil in containers dries out more quickly than that in a raised bed, so be sure to water frequently, or whenever the top inch of soil is dry. The good news is, they’re just outside your door, so it’ll be easy to keep an eye on them.
For Balconies: Edible Flower Single Container Garden
Even if you’re short on space, you can still get in on all the fun. Equal parts pretty and functional, a single container is all you need to grow a few edible flowers.
What you’ll need:
- 14-inch pot: 1 bachelor’s button, 1 marigold, and pansies
- Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose Container Mix
What to do:
Tall bachelor’s button will do a great job of keeping pests at bay in the center of your pot. Add a marigold and a few pansies around it, which pollinators find enticing, and your family will have a flower garden triple threat that produces tasty treats you can’t wait to eat.
How to Enjoy Your Edible Flower Garden
Once your flowers are blooming, start snacking. Host a sensory session so the whole family can touch, smell, and taste each flower together. Use their favorites to ramp up mealtime: Most kids think the prettier food looks, the better it tastes. If they’re still not convinced (or they can’t get enough!), use the flowers to decorate cupcakes, cookies, and other sweet treats.
Watch out—if you haven’t already dug into growing your own fruits and veggies, your success with edible flowers might just kick off a taste for growing all kinds of food. Don’t say we didn’t warn ya!
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