Why grow flowers?

There are many reasons to grow flowers on a market farm. Firstly they are beautiful and can contribute to the overall visual appeal of the farm. More importantly however, flowers attract beneficial insects that predate on pests such as caterpillars and aphids. Flowers can also be sold as a second income stream alongside vegetables. 

Which flowers work best on a market farm?

Annual flowers can be easy to add into the mix on a market farm. Because we are already growing annual vegetables, annual flowers can be added into rotations without permanently taking a bed out of action. Zinnias and sunflowers are popular Summer choices for months of colour, whilst sweet peas work particularly well in the Winter time. 

Care of flowers

Just like vegetables, flowers can be susceptible to pests and disease. Zinnias get powdery mildew if they are overhead-watered, and can be susceptible to viruses if the plants are stressed and weak. Flowers need well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter, with good-quality fertiliser added. They must be cut regularly to ensure a steady supply of blooms, otherwise the plants will go to seed and die. With the right care however, flowers are a great addition to a vegetable farm. 

Still to come

Next time I will talk about the difficulty of having crops ready to harvest year round.  

This week's recipe links

Zucchini Risotto from Barley and Sage.

Indian Masala Omelette from The Love of Spice. 

Caramelised Onion, Tomato and Eggplant Pasta from Alexandra's Kitchen. 

Roasted Pumpkin, Basil and Parmesan Muffins from Better Homes and Gardens. 

More info 

To read more about what's happening on our local organic farm this week as we grow and care for veggies for our box delivery, check out this week's newsletter here.