- Be A Gardener Newsletter
- Posts
- How To Boost Vegetable Growth In Your Garden
How To Boost Vegetable Growth In Your Garden
“Productive gardening is more than just planting as many vegetables as possible. Including insect-attracting flowers is a key element to boost vegetable growth in garden. Pollinating insects and other beneficial bugs are crucial in your garden’s ecosystem, contributing to how to boost vegetable growth by enhancing pollination and natural pest control.”
Why Flowers Matter
Flowers among your crops transform an otherwise utilitarian space into a beautiful and vibrant area. A splash of color enhances the visual appeal and boost vegetable growth in your garden’s productivity by supporting beneficial insects. These insects, such as pollinators and pest predators, help your plants reach their full potential.
Getting Started with Flower Planting
Today, we’ll explore planting tough, resilient flowers that can thrive in your garden year after year and boost your vegetable. These are self-seeders, meaning the seeds they drop will survive in winter and sprout in spring. The best flowers for this purpose are hardy annuals that grow, flower and set seeds within one year.
Top Flowers for Your Vegetable Garden
1.Calendula (Marigold)
Appearance: Bright, sunny flowers
Growing Conditions: Thrives in various garden soils, including poor soils; prefers sunshine but tolerates light shade
Benefits: Attracts pollinators like bees and pest predators like flies, lacewings, and ladybugs. They help to boost vegetable growth.
Edibility: Petals are edible and look great in salads and soups
Companion Plant: Repels pests like aphids, caterpillars, and armyworms
How to Plant Calendula
1. Prepare the Soil:
– Fluff up the soil to ensure it’s loose.
– Add some compost to improve soil structure and fertility.
2. Sow the Seeds:
– Calendula seeds are small and should be sown at a depth of about a quarter to half an inch (0.6 to 1.2 cm).
– Scatter the seeds and gently push them into the soil.
– Alternatively, you can scratch the soil surface and poke the seeds in.
3. Transplanting:
– If you’re impatient like me, you can start the seeds in plug trays.
– Sow them at the same depth and transplant them once they fill their plugs, ensuring minimal root disturbance.
Nasturtiums to Boost Vegetable Growth
Nasturtiums are an excellent addition to any garden. I’ve chosen two varieties: a beautiful variegated type and one perfect for climbing structures like trellises. Here’s why nasturtiums are so beneficial and how to plant them.
Benefits of Nasturtiums
Attract Pollinators: Nasturtiums are a favorite of bees, making them great for pollination.
Pest Control: They help deter Brassica-hungry caterpillars, protecting plants like kale and broccoli and boost vegetable growth.
Edibility: Every part of the nasturtium is edible—from the leaves and flowers to the spicy seed pods.
How to Plant Nasturtiums
Prepare the Seeds:
Use an all-purpose soil mix for planting.
Nasturtium seeds are large and easy to handle, so there’s no missing them.
Sow the Seeds:
Sow the seeds into plug trays, similar to calendula.
Place two seeds per plug to ensure better germination.
Protect from Pests:
Mice love nasturtium seeds. To protect the trays until the seeds sprout, keep them in a secure place, such as a box.
Transplanting:
Nasturtiums are hardy but can be delicate when young. Hold off on direct sowing until later in spring when the weather is warmer.
Poached Egg Plant (Limnanthes) to boost vegetable growth
Today’s third and final hardy annual is the poached egg plant, also known as Limnanthes. These charming flowers get their name from their appearance and are a fantastic addition to any garden.
Benefits of Poached Egg Plant
Attracts Pollinators: Loved by bees and other pollinators.
Attracts Hoverflies: Helps in natural pest control.
Growing Conditions: Thrives in sun or part shade and prefers free-draining soil.
How to Plant Poached Egg Plant
Prepare the Soil:
Choose a sunny or partially shaded spot with free-draining soil.
Sow the Seeds:
Sow the seeds directly where they will grow.
Poached eggplant seeds are quite small. Gently tickle them into the soil without burying them too deeply.
Spacing:
Once the seedlings emerge, thin them to about 4 inches (10 cm) apart to give them enough room to grow.
Greenhouse Planting:
Start some seeds in separate pots in the greenhouse to have additional plants ready to grow in spring.
Versatility:
Plant them freely around the garden for a cheerful splash of color.
Treat poached egg plants like green manure. Dig them in just before they seed to enrich the soil for your crops.
Additional Hardy Annuals for Your Garden
Alyssum
Alyssum is another excellent plant for attracting hoverflies. It’s a low-growing annual, making it perfect for planting among vulnerable crops like lettuce or for edging around garden beds.
Marigold
Marigolds are fantastic companion plants, especially for tomatoes. They help deter whiteflies and other pests. I’ll be growing them among my tomatoes and basil to ward off additional pests.
Zinnia
Zinnias add height and vibrant color to the garden. They grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) or more and are excellent for attracting butterflies, including monarchs and painted ladies. Planting zinnias in a sunny spot will benefit the flowers and the butterflies that come to sip their nectar.
How to Plant These Annuals to boost vegetable growth
Prepare the Seeds:
Use seed trays, pots, or individual cells with a pre-wetted seed mix to start your seeds.
Sow the Seeds:
Sow the seeds according to their specific needs:
Alyssum seeds are small and can be lightly scattered.
Marigold and zinnia seeds are larger and should be sown at the appropriate depth, as indicated on the seed packet.
Watering:
Ensure the seed mix remains moist to give your seeds the best start.
Transplanting:
Once the seedlings are strong enough, transplant them to their final positions in the garden:
Alyssum can be placed among crops or along the edges of beds.
Marigolds should be interspersed with tomatoes and basil.
Zinnias can be planted in sunny spots with room to grow tall.
Adding Herbs to Your Garden
Common herbs are fantastic sources of nectar and pollen for beneficial bugs. High up on the list are basil and parsley, which I grew among the beans last year. They thrived, and the beans were trouble-free. Coincidence? Maybe, but I’ll be doing the same again this year.
Basil and Parsley
Benefits:
Attract beneficial insects.
Help deter pests.
Planting:
Herbs from the grocery store or supermarket can be very cheap.
Split them up and pot them to grow before planting them into their final positions a few weeks later.
Planting Dill:
Dill is not often found for sale as a plant, so I’ve got a packet of seeds.
I’ll sow the seeds in a couple of weeks once it’s warmed up.
Scatter the seeds and rake them in to ensure good contact with the soil.
Water thoroughly to set them on their way.
Appearance:
Dill flowers are almost identical to fennel flowers.
Fennel is a taller perennial herb, and if you fancy that, consider planting it for many years of insect-attracting blooms.
Perennial Herbs
There are many insect-friendly, flowering perennial herbs you can include in your garden:
Chives
Attract pollinators and beneficial insects.
Rosemary
Provides nectar and pollen for bees.
Sage
Another great herb for attracting beneficial insects.
Enhancing Your Garden’s Beauty
Planting various herbs boosts crop growth and adds color and beauty to your garden. Combining flowers and herbs creates a stunning and beneficial environment for your plants and insects.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating a variety of flowers and herbs into your garden isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating a thriving ecosystem that supports both your crops and beneficial insects. From hardy annuals like calendula and nasturtiums to perennial herbs like rosemary and sage, each plant plays a vital role in attracting pollinators, deterring pests, and enhancing the overall health of your garden.
By strategically planting these plants among your vegetables, you beautify your garden and improve its productivity naturally. The process is rewarding and straightforward, whether you’re starting seeds indoors or sowing directly into the soil.
Remember, gardening is as much about experimentation and observation as it is about following guidelines. Pay attention to how these plants interact with each other and your crops. Over time, you’ll discover what works best for your garden’s unique conditions.
So, as you embark on this gardening journey, consider the benefits of incorporating flowers and herbs. They bring color and fragrance and invite nature’s helpers into your garden, ensuring a bountiful harvest and a delightful landscape.
Happy gardening!
The post How To Boost Vegetable Growth In Your Garden appeared first on Be A Gardener.