There are many plants out there that can improve the growth of your vegetable garden instead of using pesticides. And companion planting is one of the most beneficial ways to grow for your garden. That is the reason why in this post today, we want to share 9 flowers that you should grow in your vegetable garden. Check them out to know ways to own a healthy garden as you desire.
Growing certain plants together can encourage healthy growth, repel harmful insects, and attract beneficial insects. Flowers can be planted in your vegetable garden to achieve a healthier and thriving garden. In addition, they can give your garden beautiful landscaping by producing colorful flowers. If you are an organic garden -lover, these flowers will be great friends to support your garden with natural growth.
#1 Borage
Both the leaves and blooms of the Borage plant can be eaten and have a cucumber-like flavor. This cucumber scented flower grows best with tomatoes, squash, and strawberries. It’s known for attracting bees and other pollinators, repelling hornworms and is said to improve the taste of tomatoes if planted nearby.
#2 Calendula
Plant this happy flower with peas, carrots, asparagus, and spring salad lettuces. It will help repel aphids and attracting pollinators to the garden. This plant has edible leaves. Lastly, calendula has thick roots, and acts as a living mulch, protecting to soil from the sun and retaining moisture for your vegetable garden.
#3 Chamomile
This plant also helps improve the growth and flavor of many plants. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties as well, helping with mold, mildew, and blight. This flower is a cool weather, partial shade plant. Chamomile grows best with cabbage, onions, beans, cucumbers, broccoli, kale, and brussel sprouts.
#4 Cosmos
Cosmos does a great job of attracting pollinators. Their bright colors attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Grow near tomatoes, and other flowering vegetables, to encourage additional pollination. Cosmos also attract aphids. Plant them near aphid prone plants to deter aphids from your vegetables and fruits. Instead, attract them to your cosmos. Cosmos are gorgeous, colorful flowers that do well in warm weather and are incredibly easy to grow.
#5 Lavender
Lavender does a great job of attracting pollinators. Butterflies and bees love lavender and will visit your garden more frequently if planted nearby. Lavender should be planted with brussel sprouts, celery, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. Lavender’s strong scent repels harmful insects like cabbage worms. It can also help repel larger pests such as deer and rabbits.
#6 Marigolds
These bright flowers are great to have in the garden as they attract pollinators, like bees and butterflies. Marigolds do a great job repelling insects, specifically nematodes, which tend to attack tomatoes. Plant these flowers with tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers.
#7 Nasturtiums
These pretty flowers attract hoverflies, which kill and eat aphids, so be sure to plant them near aphid prone vegetables. Plant nasturtiums with broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, beets, pumpkin, and zucchini. They also repel black flies and slugs.
#8 Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum acts as ground cover in the garden. This hard-working flower attracts many beneficial insects to include crab spiders, ladybugs, predatory wasps, and lacewings. The ground cover of the sweet alyssum also acts as a living mulch, which helps retain moisture for its companion plants. Plant sweet alyssum with onion, chives, broccoli, and carrots.
#9 Zinnia
These bright blooms attract so many pollinators, but particularly butterflies and hummingbirds. Hummingbirds eat whiteflies, which like to feast on tomatoes, cucumbers, and potatoes. Zinnias are also helpful in repelling cucumber beetles and tomato worms. Plant these beautiful flowers near your tomatoes, cucumbers, and potatoes.