[ad_1]
Hi GPODers!
Gardeners tend their landscapes for a wide variety of reasons, but one reason is the most prolific and historic: To produce food. While this might conjure images of huge farms with expansive fields of crop, or simple raised beds full of fluffy greens, the healthiest vegetable gardens are often also filled with flowers. Mark Montgelas has shared photos of his small but spectacular vegetable patch in Vermont, and shows that growing food can be a gorgeous endeavor.
Greetings, the following pictures are from my garden in Ludlow, Vermont. My tiered garden is located on Okemo Mountain where we summer. I thought you might like a little change featuring a mostly vegetable garden that includes many companion flowers and flowering veggies. The garden includes many flowering pole beans, gorgeous cucumbers, tomatoes and winter squash. Some of the companion flowers include Valkyrie aster (Callistephus chinensis ‘Valkyrie’, annual), Cactus zinnia (Zinnia elegans ‘Cactus’, annual), calendula, marigold and nasturtium. So much fun to grow and rewarding for my delicious seasonal treats.
To begin, a wide view of Mark’s garden shows that the companion flowers aren’t the only plants adding beauty to the space. Climbing vines from pole beans and squash create vertical interest along every trellis and structure.
Companion plantings, of course, are not just there to make the vegetable garden a little prettier. These beneficial blooms attract a variety of pollinators that help pollinate Mark’s plants and hopefully lead to a more abundant harvest. One of these pollinators is a pearl crescent butterfly (Phyciodes tharos) enjoying a bright orange nasturtium.
Though we often associate pollinating with bumblebees and butterflies, some less-loved insects play this vital role as well. Wasps also rely on nectar for energy, as this one is collecting from a purple Culver’s root (Veronicastrum virginicum, Zones 3–8), and will disperse pollen as it travels from flower to flower. Some plants, like tropical figs, are completely reliant on wasps for pollination. Read more on wasps from the U.S. Forest Service: Wasp Pollination.
Lastly, an Eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) enjoying a sweet sip from some pink and yellow calibrachoa blooms.
Thank you so much for sharing your mighty and marvelous veggie garden with us, Mark! I’m gearing up for seed starting soon and you’re inspiring me to add more companion plants to my list this year.
And a lovely reminder that we enjoy seeing gardens of all shapes, sizes, and purposes on Garden Photo of the Day! Whether you grow strictly for beauty, for the delicious fruit you produce, or the food and shelter you’re able to provide for crucial insects and wildlife, follow the directions below to show us how and why you garden.
Have a garden you’d like to share?
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!
Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Rain Bird PATIOKIT Drip Irrigation Patio Watering Kit
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
– Complete 42-piece drip irrigation kit eliminates watering by hand
– Provides drip irrigation for up to 6 planters
– Easy to assemble: just attach to faucet, cut tubing and connect watering devices
– Attaches easily to your outdoor faucet or hose
Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, Revised and Updated Second Edition: A Natural Approach to Pest Control
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
This revised and updated edition of Jessica Walliser’s award-winning Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden offers a valuable and science-backed plan for bringing balance back to the garden. With this indispensable gardening reference—now updated with new research, insights, and voices—learn how to create a healthy, balanced, and diverse garden capable of supporting a hard-working crew of beneficial pest-eating insects and eliminate the need for synthetic chemical pesticides.
Organo Republic 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix for Indoor & Outdoors
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Premium 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix – Special Garden Flower Seeds Blend designed for planting indoor & outdoors across North America. With over 16 varieties and 100,000 wildflower seeds, this mix is the best solution to attract pollinators – bees, butterflies & birds are essential for garden plants health. Our Special Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix Includes White Yarrow, Columbine, New England Aster, Siberian Wallflower, Shasta Daisy, Lance-Leaf Coreopsis, Sweet William, Purple Coneflower, Blanketflower, Gayfeather, Blue Flax, Lupine, Dwarf Evening, Primrose, Mexican Hat, Prairie Coneflower, Black Eyed Susan. Easy & Fun Growing Experience with our online guides – Don’t plant disappointment – Add more colors to your wildflower garden! We send only super hearty heirloom flower seeds with the highest germination rate and fast sprout. Our detailed growing guide helps you grow seeds the garden of your dream like a PRO. Colorful Wildflower Garden from Seeds – Grow wildflowers everywhere – Indoor in window garden or Outdoors Flower garden Garden make a beautiful design for your garden borders, pathways, field or meadow and attract pollinators. Made in the USA by Small Family-Owned Business – Quality You Can Trust – Our wildflower bulk seeds variety pack are tested at the highest germination rates before being sealed to last for up to 3 years before you need to plant. Each packet of our flower seeds variety pack is resealable to make it easy to store and has its own label with a QR code for the growing instructions.
[ad_2]
Source link
