Planting Flowers Against Vegetables
Planting flowers amongst vegetables can be an extremely gratifying experience. A beautiful flower garden filled with bright and colorful blossoms is something that will make any gardener feel good about themselves. There are many ways to go about planting flowers amongst vegetables, though. You need to take into consideration several factors before you begin planting a flower garden, so it’s important to do your research. Before you begin planting, think about the following tips to help you determine the best way to plant your flower garden.
One of the most important things to consider when deciding to plant a flower garden amongst your vegetable garden is where the flower garden will be located. Do you live in an area where you get a lot of sunlight? Do you live in an area where the flower garden has the shade it needs to thrive? Are the areas near crops that can be damaged by heavy rain or snowfall? These are important things to think about when planning your flower garden’s location. You don’t want your flower garden near your vegetables if you don’t have to, for instance.
When you choose a spot for your flower garden, you also need to consider other things. Are the chosen spots going to receive a lot of sun, or will they only receive minimal amounts? Will the vegetables be getting all the sunlight they need, or will they only get a portion? This can make a huge difference in the amount of time the vegetables will take to grow, so be sure to consider this when choosing the spot for your flower garden.
Another important factor to consider when deciding to plant a flower garden amongst your vegetables is how much space you have available to work with. If you have a large vegetable plot, for instance, you can simply put a trellis up and then put the bulbs on top of the trellis. Your vegetables will get as much sunlight as needed, while the flowers will get just enough to help them grow.
A good rule of thumb is to always plant vegetables facing away from your flower garden. This will prevent you from inadvertently tumbling your plants down if you happen to step on them. Additionally, vegetables will actually absorb a lot more heat, so placing them closer to your flower garden will give them a chance to escape before your plants take on too much heat from direct sunlight. This is an important consideration, especially if you live in an area where the seasons can vary significantly.
Finally, consider the type of plants you have. Do you have a garden full of annuals, perennials, and vegetables, or are you starting out with plants that grow quickly and have short lifespans? Consider what you are hoping to accomplish with your planting, whether it is growing year-round crops, or starting seeds and trying to grow an entire plant. Each option can present unique challenges, so do some research and talk to local nurseries to gain a better understanding of what you need to do in order to make the best choices for your garden.
Once you’ve decided how big of a garden you would like to have, you should also consider the climate of your area. Flowers are beautiful in the Spring when they bloom and drench the earth in bright colors, but they are not so friendly to the gardener in the Winter as they struggle to keep their shape. You may be able to grow many different types of flowers throughout the year, but certain species require a lot more care than others. In general, annuals are easier to maintain and grow in the Winter. Meanwhile, perennials will take more time to sprout, but they do not require nearly as much maintenance.
One final thing to consider when planting flowers amongst vegetables is the proximity of your flower garden to your home. If you have a patio or deck, it may not be possible to grow vegetables up off the ground. Likewise, if you have a backyard, there may not be sufficient space to grow vegetables. This is especially important if you have a large family or intend to grow the flowers indoors – you will want to consider whether your children could accidentally eat some of your flower seeds.