The Best Flowers To Boost Vegetable Gardens 🌺🐝

Bring on the POWER of FLOWERS!!!
Beautiful, Bountiful, yield-boosting Blooms! Harness the power of flowers to boost and protect your crops as well as wildlife. We all know that flowers are good for wildlife, but which are the best ones to grow? Ben reveals his top tips on what to grow, when to grow it and ways to get started in this week's episode. Get ready to see your blossoms BLOOMING!!!
🌺To watch our video about companion planting see this link: • Why Vegetables Need Fr...
Our team of passionate plant nerds have been hard at work for many many months, thoroughly researching the science behind beneficial plants, bringing you tried and tested Evidence-Based Companion Planting methods. All of this in depth information and more is available on our online Garden Planner software (as shown in the video).
So, if you love growing your own food, why not take a look at our online Garden Planner which is available from several major websites and seed suppliers:
www.GrowVeg.com
gardenplanner....
gardenplanner.......
and many more...
To receive more gardening videos subscribe to our channel here: / subscription_. .
If you've noticed any pests or beneficial insects in your garden lately please report them to us at BigBugHunt.com

[@GrowVeg]

If you see anyone posting a 'Free Prize' giveaway on this channel with my profile picture in the comments, please consider reporting it as it's fraud. Sorry everyone, we wish it didn't happen but KZbin aren't blocking it and we don't want anyone to be scammed!

[@JoDusepo]

What's the name of your adorable dog? :)

[@trapped7534]

Thanks Ben. Haven't seen it yet,but if I do,I will report it. So sad that some people use their talents to do bad instead of good🥺

[@shotpusher]

KZbin just blocks good stuff…😒

[@stephenhope7319]

That is really good to know. I almost got scammed on a different gardening channel with a pepper seed "give-away". Thanks for the heads-up.

[@crushivintage]

That's hilarious. I got one. And I was like? I didn't enter any contest and don't have What's App anyway. I'm just here to learn from Ben and Dog.

[@Bagmand87]

"But im desperately impatient" that should be the slogan for all gardeners. Great video!

[@beeperbugs6535]

🌱💚🙂

[@nancybaumgartner6774]

FACT

[@pheirphon4680]

Patients and dedication is a must! But don't let wasters disrupt the assertion to benefit majority for self! In other words, don't be lazy! You want to eat and enjoy! Learn how your ingestion feeeeelllssss!!!/workss

[@Rissen_]

All farmers/gardeners think theyre impatient but the real desperately impatient people are those who dont grow or garden. As always the gardener is humble and doesnt truly see the hard work and patience they exhibit :)

[@alfredotebasco]

My zen garden became my rage garden. It's the most productive space on the lot!

[@DerMelissa]

Desperately impatient..that's every gardener in spring😇

[@rhg3212]

I’m growing calendula, marigolds, nasturtium and borage. I’ve added zinnias to my shopping list after watching your video because I’d love to encourage a wider variety of butterflies! After last years late frosts I’m just direct sowing everything. No transplanting, hardening off or sulk periods that they go through after moving. Today I planted some carrots, chives and spring onions outside! 🎉

[@TheSleepyMisfit]

I’m doing those varieties as well! I definitely caught the flower bug this year. 😂

[@GrowVeg]

Good work! The zinnias I sowed in the video are already up and well and truly away - so fast!

[@stephaniehart4772]

Any suggestions for nasturtium- won’t grow. I’ve tried pots and in ground. No success.

[@marlenemcmillan8891]

@@stephaniehart4772 i live in canada and potted a few already .they were up in a week ....ate a couple leaves too..i don't do anything special....put the seeds in the soil water and leave them.

[@stephaniehart4772]

@@marlenemcmillan8891 Thank you for replying. I’ve soaked a few seeds and planted. It’s been about a week now. Still waiting.

[@maurilanesutton5291]

The Great Lakes in Michigan, USA. Am putting in marigold, zinnias and nasturtium, didn’t know about the others so I’ll see about finding them. Ty for sharing

[@GrowVeg]

You're welcome - all worth seeking out, and I'm sure there will be plenty of others - e.g. cosmos.

[@silkyb-love]

I'm in NE Indiana. Try some native wildflowers like tall ironweed, coreopsis, smooth blue aster, rattlesnake master, yellow and purple coneflowers...

[@mariajensen1310]

Likewise! Live on the Great Lake of Ontario in Western NY! Already have the Marigold seeds and learned a lot about what the other flowers do to help the garden. Love this channel!

[@katherinecadwallader5418]

Hardy Annuals - calendula, nasturtium, poached egg plant Frost-Tender Annuals - alyssum, marigold, zinnia Flowering Herbs - basil, parsley, dill

[@alisonburgess345]

I agree - flowers are a really important addition to a vegetable garden. They are just beautiful to boot!

[@eddyradar5739]

My bees love borage, a great self-seeder, too! Beautiful blue flowers are edible, and are great frozen in ice cubes for summer drinks. I also have fields of field poppies, all sorts, which the bees like as well. California poppies grow without watering, so great for the dry areas that I cannot reach by hose.

[@phoebeel]

How long do they bloom? :)

[@eddyradar5739]

@@phoebeel pretty much all summer and fall. Easy to transplant the “volunteers “!

[@invokalink162]

I adore sweet peas, they attract the giant bumblebee, who's appearance and deep buzzing always makes me happy.

[@carolynjudd3398]

Borage seems to be a top bee attractor in my garden. So nice that it is edible as well. I put it near my squash to aid in pollination. Once you put in one borage plant you never need to buy another. They are self seeding for sure!

[@GrowVeg]

I need to plant some borage this season for sure. I'd love to have it in the garden. Thanks for sharing your experiences of it.

[@stevek6486]

I am actually working to downsize my edible garden as we approach an empty nest. Adding cut type flowers is a great way to use the extra space that I have been conditioning over the years. Shorter sunflowers, gladiolus, carnations, etc. are fun to bring in to brighten the house or make a neighbors day. Glads need to be dug in the fall but so do all of the root veg anyway!

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds like a really colourful evolution of your garden Steve. :-)

[@cathyjamieson5298]

I would recommend not to use black load as cut flowers for house as they let off a putrid smell in water!!!!!😇😇😇

[@cathyjamieson5298]

Gladiolas flowers !!!!!😇😇😇

[@kerrylynnparsons7879]

Outstanding!!! I am fine-tuning my gardening. I love flowers. ❤️🌻🌺🌷🥰 Wonderful episode!!! 🥰🎶🌻

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much, really appreciate that. Happy gardening! :-)

[@giverny28]

I'm obsessed with zinnias! I started with just a simple cut and come again and have branched out to many varieties. I love that they are easy to grow & seed collect at the end of the season. Borage is a must but quite deceptive as far as size, when looking at the seedlings. They can grow to me mammoth. I love that it self seeds and I never have to worry about having them available. Sometimes they pop up where I don't want them, but they are so simple to transplant in just the right place. If you love bees, this is a MUST. Borage is covered from the time the sun comes up until its dark. I have never seen a plant perform for bees so well. It's incredible. Nasturtium are my next favorite, again their non-aggressive self seeding almost makes them feel like a perennial. My # 1 has to be BASILS! Why wasn't I taught about these beauties before? They are just as our more pleasurable than flowers! I plant about 6-10 varieties just because I love them so much. Traditional is grown with my harvest crops for ease of harvest and to keep ahead of flowers setting, as well as ones I find especially tasty for pesto etc. But some I just love the looks, benifits of, or to use in flower arrangements. Blue Spice does top knotch over any other basil variety here where I live, so it is everywhere! The fast, full growth makes it great for weed control and the fragrance makes hot sweaty garden work seem like a treat. Walking through the garden brushing my hands or legs against the plant is like spraying a favorite perfume all around me. I love it!

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased you get so much joy from the flowers. And yes, basil is a stunner!

[@darlenebradley6756]

I am a big fan of zinnias, too!

[@smarties6342]

Garden in Zone 5b Ontario Canada. I literally threw down some borage seeds in an area that had poor gravelly soil along side a garage. It took off fantastically well. It even spilled over onto the lawn. I didnt mind running over it with the lawn mower as it seemed to give it a haircut and encouraged it to bush out even more. Love the fresh cucumber scent that comes with it. I will be adding it to some areas in my perennial beds and just let it do its thing. Calendula, marigolds, zinnia, basil, dill and chives have always been a staple around the veg garden. I have purchased a couple packets of chives and garlic chives with the hope of them being a border plant. Again, another I don't mind giving a run over with the mower. The ones I already have just keep coming back year after year. I planted a 4"inch oregano plant in a flower bed 4 years ago. Mid summer it is usually at least a foot tall and 2 feet across. I use it for cooking and drying. When it flowers I give it a hard cut back and it rejuvenates. Usually do it twice in the summer. Makes a lovely fragrant "shrub". Alyssum always in my borders and containers. Last year I had a few "volunteer" saflowers show up. My best guess is that they were deposited from birds from feeders in the area.

[@GrowVeg]

Wow - what a fantastic lineup of flowers and herbs you have. I am sure they are making a big difference to your garden. Thanks for sharing.

[@tinad8561]

How do you get chives to do? I’ve had garlic chives forever-the same plants for five years now-but regular chives invariably drop dead within a couple of months.

[@arlenebetty9620]

I grew cannas this year from the seeds! Some didn’t come up but that’s ok. It was an awesome experience!

[@thesqueedler]

We’ve got rosemary and lavender as perennials,and we always let our parsley bolt so it’s just all over the yard now. Lemon balm will also attract the pollinators and and the bees also really like fava beans. We seem to do a good job attracting lady beetles and hoverflies too. I want to build some bee houses and an insect watering station. I have tried monarda aka bee balm, and marigolds but the snails ate them all. We may have the snails under control so I’m trying them both again this year. Monarda is so pretty'

[@GrowVeg]

The marigolds do seem to a bit susceptible to slug and snail attack. I'll be keeping a beady eye on mine when I plant them. Agree about monarda - it's a stunner!

[@cherylanderson3340]

Sprinkle DE around the plants that soft bodied slugs want to eat. If they have to cross a band of DE to get at a plant, or just into your garden, they'll die before they can do any damage. It isn't poison & only harms certain insects. It must be replaced if it gets rained on. Good luck.

[@juliareedy7103]

My Alyssums popped up in one day! I couldn't believe how quickly they germinated. I have marigolds, alyssum, and nasturtiums going now for my garden.

[@GrowVeg]

Wow - that has to be some sort of record!

[@Rachel-el3sx]

The flowers we've already got in our garden planner (which is AMAZING btw - thank you!!!) are marigolds, vining nasturtiums, morning glories, black eyed susans. We've also got some flowering herbs like dill and basil. I'm going to add some zinnias in after seeing this video!

[@chrisandemmycoser3647]

One year we had a "volunteer" morning glory and it was lovely!!

[@charlotteseden9303]

"Desperately impatient" Love what you said. That's me too😆 Thanks for the info. I will do that this year.

[@GrowVeg]

Great to hear it Charlotte. Happy gardening!

[@geesgardeningclubuk5247]

13 minutes of gold, cheers Ben ⭐️

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers Gee!

[@sherylcasteen8182]

Ben you are always a bright light in my day when I can watch your videos. I love your 'down to earth' shows with actual potting soil on your potting table, like mine! Ha. I teach basic gardening and I am ALWAYS asked about companion planting. I took notes on this video and will share them next week with students. Thank you for all your efforts and that great smile!

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased that this video is so useful Sheryl - really appreciate you watching and sharing the information with your students.

[@EleanorPeterson]

9:55 - Ha! Yes! 🙂 I used to love helping ('helping'!) my late dad in the garden when I was young. I'll always remember his advice about handling seedlings by their (tough) leaves, not their easily-squashed stems. He said to think of it in human terms: picking up a seedling by the leaves was like lifting a baby with your hands under its arms; using the stem was the same as grabbing it by the throat! 😲

[@GrowVeg]

Very good analogy! Your dad sounds like he was a very wise man.

[@roxannaweaver2155]

Marigolds, dill, chives, oregano, lavender, nasturtium, dahlia, and parsley are in my gardens all the time. I almost forgot - I'm adding Borage this year as I am also undertaking becoming a bee keeper and I've been told that they love that plant. I want to keep them happy!

[@GrowVeg]

Good luck with the bees - what a wonderful adventure to embark on. :-)

[@tracycrider7778]

I’m also going to grow anise hyssop in a pot for garden too❤ Along with marigolds, alyssum, zinnias, sunflowers, nasturtiums & dahlias ❤

[@GrowVeg]

Lovely floral additions! :-)

[@tracycrider7778]

@@GrowVegi just saw your response ❤😂 I’m honored 😊

[@klattin1501]

I took notes throughout. Great video, Ben. I have a large area near my vegetable garden that produces many more flowers than mentioned. Last year I had one 5 foot sunflower that attracted so many ladybugs. I watched the life cycle of hundreds. This is where I learned that those black with red stripe bugs were the baby ladybugs. I was SHOCKED! Awesome entertainment last summer. Of course I saved the seeds to share the fun this year. Catmint, not mentioned , is my biggest bee/polinator attractor, it is humming with bees from sun up to sun down. Hummingbirds love my 4 o'clocks and zinnias. I'm adding new this year.....calendula, ammi, strawflower, garlic chives, borage, chamomile, and foxglove. Thank you for your educational videos.

[@GrowVeg]

Some great flowers there. How wonderful to observe the ladybugs so close up - the young ladybirds are quite formidable looking aren't they!

[@Gardening-FarmtoTable-andMore]

This is Sabrina from Campbell’s Freedom farm And we use African blue basil to really bring in the pollinators. Love for you to check out the video. Love your videos Sabrina

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for that Sabrina. Will take a look. :-)

[@amyabsalom3892]

Hello from Martin's Ferry, Ohio USA. I am loving your videos and great tips. I started my Nasturiums about 3 weeks ago. Found germinating them in a moist paper towel and popping them into a ziplock baggy has worked quite well for me. They germinated in 5 days and once I planted them in soil they took off like superman. One of the easiest flowers to grow.

[@GrowVeg]

They're very obliging flowers for sure - mine are just popping up now.

[@virgilrask5104]

I’m in Las Vegas, I am going to be growing a lot of the flowers in this video!

[@Erewhon2024]

Why not plant local desert wildflowers? Nevada isn't the same climate as Britain.

[@valoriegriego5212]

This year I'm growing more flowering plants: African marigold, Shasta Daisy, Borage, Purple Coneflowers, Forget Me Not, Sweet Pea, Nasturtium, Zinnia, and Canna Lillies.👩🏾‍🌾

[@JD-uc1es]

You are my favorite show!!!

[@sharminikamaragoda2976]

Marigolds for sure, as they grow in abundance with no problem.

[@laurieanne9712]

Excellent tips! Exactly what I needed!

[@ThatBritishHomestead]

im growing even more flowers this year! I cant wait I love to see them and to watch the bees and insect! I cant wait to see how well they take off

[@paulineliste4545]

Just love your dog what a cutie, so well behaved and quiet…

[@GrowVeg]

Most of the time!

[@jipster2020]

Indiana 5b. We really started to get in to companion planting last year, and not only did it help the veg, but it made everything look so fantastic. French marigolds in every bed, calendulas dotted about, and basil with the tomatoes. We had alyssum and zinnias (which hummingbirds LOVE btw) in planters close by. We had dill in a bed with onions, but far away from the carrots. Apparently they're part of the same family and shouldn't be allowed to cross-pollinate, but part of me is wondering if I can grow dill flavoured carrots... hmm. We're also growing some bergamot this year, kindly donated by Indiana DNR from a local park when I asked if I could grab some seeds - it's also known as bee-balm so we're looking forward to loads of friendly visitors, both bees and hummingbirds !

[@GrowVeg]

Some fantastic companion planting going on there. Bergamot is a real stunner!

[@dancesynergywv]

Thanks for these weekly posts!

[@emullinsstreams]

Native flowers near the veg garden are wonderful! We have purple coneflower, butterfly milkweed, and jewelweed at our home here in Ohio, and I want to look for more natives. We also planted sunflowers (which get a lot of bees here) in a new spot near our peppers and tomatoes, along with marigolds and nasturtiums.

[@GrowVeg]

I bet that will all look so colourful. :-)

[@Alyss93]

North American native flowers are always so unfortunately underrated! I've got cardinal flowers, columbine, tick-trefoil, milkweeds, coneflowers, yarrow, leadplant, and several native grasses all lined up to go in my garden this year, they're all so beautiful! I've gotten them from a company called Northern Wildflowers - even if you don't buy from them (they are based in Canada), they have a useful map with each of the seeds to show where they're native to.

[@Erewhon2024]

Asclepias syriaca (which is however a spreader) is even a perennial vegetable since it has low cardenolides. I like Dalea sp. (prairie clover) because they are both deep rooted and nitrogen fixers. Also good forage for rabbits. I guess all that could also be said about non-native alfalfa, and Dalea purpurea has a shorter bloom season than Eurasian red clover, but I am sentimental.

[@xSunshinex4206]

"Desperately impatient", I hear ya 😁 Thanks for the inspiration 🌻

[@patstuckey482]

Nasturtium and Alyssum tend to have flea beetle problems here. If inter-planted with Cerinthe or Lamanthes (hard to find the seeds of either here) it helps with the flea beetles. One plant I have had good luck with is Cilantro/Coriander. It goes from seed to bloom quickly, then attracts tiny beneficial insects well. But because it blooms so quickly, it needs to be succession planted in small amounts. Bachelor Buttons self sow well here, but turn themselves from a summer annual into a fall sprouting spring blooming biennial. -Pat, Pueblo, Colorado

[@GrowVeg]

Great advice, thanks for sharing Pat.

[@randoooooooooooom]

I love when you talk about entomology

[@GrowVeg]

There's always a bit of a buzz surrounding this subject!

[@roisin252]

You get a gold from this viewer. Just been digging the garden in preparation for wild flowers and potatoes. Will get going on the Calendula. Thanks again.

[@GrowVeg]

Nice one - and cheers for the gold! :-)

[@lgrillo]

Wonderful episode! I really enjoy your videos and watching your garden come to life as you go. Thank you, Ben!

[@jacquelinebaxter6420]

You are so organized with that garden planner

[@HeyYouSA]

Made a list of seeds to grab, thanks!

[@chrisandemmycoser3647]

We LOVE marigolds! So cheerful! We may or may not have just bought 400 seeds of 6 different varieties.... don't worry, though; we are going to share with the parents! We are also quite fond of phenomenal lavender. It brings ALL THE BEES!

[@GrowVeg]

Lavender is an absolute winner for the bees!

[@Mags224]

I absolutely love your videos. Your enthusiasm is inspiring.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much! :-)

[@B30pt87]

What a delightful video! Flowers amongst the veggies - a lovely idea, I'll definitely be doing this.

[@keturahmash9329]

Flower power indeed! Love the videos. Thanks for making our day and brining all the enthusiasm. Ps. I just told my mum she should start watching your videos and your name.. she goes "bend the knees?! What a great name for a gardener... or a skier... must bend your knees in skiis!" 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Have a great day :)

[@GrowVeg]

Haha, that's brilliant! Thanks for your support. :-)

[@jonathanatkins9532]

I love learning of all the tips you provide. I’ll add the poached egg plant and candula to my garden. I will also be planting bergamot again this year. It along with the naturism. This was the first year with no squash beetles or wilt.

[@GrowVeg]

That's a really strong mix of flowers there Jonathan - good job.

[@gardenboots7464]

DELIGHTFUL video. Thank you! 🐞🌼🦋🌻🐝

[@milliecaruso2041]

You are so entertaining to watch! Your enthusiasm for plants shows and it makes me excited to start growing my garden here in zone 5 😊

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers Millie!

[@stephenhope7319]

Great ideas on the plant to attract pollinators. I grew dill last spring for the first time in 9b Sacramento and quickly learned it does not like heat! Grew from Feb thru May, died in June. I replanted new dill seed for the fall ( autumn) and it survived 3 months until December. Now I know its growing season I will grow again. Dill is awesome to add to potato salads and fish dishes. Great for attracting pollinators. Thanks for the list of other great plants. I always grow basil and marigold to protect my tomatoes.Thanks.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for sharing your experiences on dill Stephen. It's a great herb.

[@Erewhon2024]

Consider Tagetes lucida (a less attractive z8 perennial marigold that tastes like tarragon, which also hates the heat at least in the Southeast USA, though admittedly CA is a strange place where many things just grow when an Easterner would insist that the shouldn't). Great flavor, and the small yellow autumn daisies are also nice, if less abundant that Signet Marigolds and less showy than the T. patula types.

[@BrightestBlessings7899]

How lovely to see your video as I head out to lush gardens filled with nasturtiums and pansies and marigolds with fennel and dill and 3 radishes that have gone to flower. They are in the Curcubit garden. Everyone is growing beautifully, which is remarkable because Spring was very cold and wet this year. In fact it did not really warm up here until July 05th! Brightest Blessings.

[@GrowVeg]

Great to hear that everything's caught up after the late start to spring.

[@miareal1746]

I am starting my garden in about a month after my little farm settles. You will be my guru. 🙏👏😀❤️

[@GrowVeg]

Great to hear it Mia! Best of luck with your new garden.

[@elisemenne8758]

JUST LOVE YOUR EXUBERANT EXCITEMENT ABOUT ALL PLANTS! GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR GARDEN!

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you so much - and you and your garden! :-)

[@CatLNC]

I so enjoy these videos! I learn much. I will start adding these hardy flowers!

[@capucinemaneckjee5276]

A number of flower garden plants have found permanent homes in my vegetable garden. Poppy, Rubeckia, Echinacea, Lavender - mark rows and return to add colour and drama each year among the veggies. Fennel, dill and calendula return loyally. In one shady corner I planted Forget Me Nots which are happily running rampant. Last summer I grew two large patches of sunflowers which provided some beneficial bits of shade and which the wild birds enjoyed throughout the autumn. I've been very surprised to see nasturtiums self-seed throughout my Zone 5B Nova Scotia garden. Zinnias, marigolds and snapdragons are also a must. This year I'm adding borage, alyssum and chamomile. Since finding your wonderful channel I've been trying to find comfrey seeds but haven't had luck yet. Best wishes to you for the New Year!

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds like your garden has a fantastic balance of blooms there - wonderful! :-)

[@iristio927]

Gorgeous video Ben! They make me itch with anticipation for spring in spite of the weather outside being -6°C. One other hardy and useful selfseeding herb I let go crazy in my garden is cilantro. Bees and hooverflies got nuts when they bloom! I harvest the leaves as needed and save the seeds (coriander), there are always PLENTY SEEDS!!. CHEERS!

[@GrowVeg]

Lovely stuff - cilantro is a stunning flower for the insects.

[@yaneejitkaeo]

Thank you very much for lovely sharing 👍

[@Mote.]

The scenery in this video is beautiful

[@GrowVeg]

We really enjoyed filming it, thanks. 😀

[@boybossmamahomeschool]

Im bing watching your videos! You’re a joy to watch! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much for watching - I really appreciate it. :-)

[@michielvoetberg4634]

I have started a few nasturtium plants indoors that have just come up. I grew them last year in a relatively small container. But then I saw them growing in a nearby village. The plant was huge and still flowering into early winter.

[@GrowVeg]

It's an incredibly hardworking plant Michiel.

[@DarkMonster771]

I don't know flowers could increase your crop! I always thought they were the competition to crops! Thanks for letting me know!

[@mariacrochet8379]

I absolutely love nasturtium! I pop them around my gardens and in planters and enjoy that spicy flavor. Wild greens, fresh figs, goat cheese and nasturtium salad!

[@GrowVeg]

Definitely worth growing for it's spicy flavour - really welcome in salads - love it too!

[@jennifersweet3458]

I love the way he fills the plug trays. Just flings dirt in. I’m always trying to be tidy and not get my shirt dirty. Haha.

[@GrowVeg]

I'm not the tidiest gardener!

[@HavingAGoudaTime]

I just found your videos and they have a lot of information and make me very happy. Thank you!

[@rickloftus9330]

As a permaculturalist I approve the use of annual self-seeders. -Calendula/pot marigold is edible itself and actually can be perennial in US hardiness zones 9-11. -The same is true of nasturtiums; I’ve planted them in my veggie garden and they too are edible. -I’ve not used poached egg plant/Limnanthes. As for the frost sensitive/half-hardy annuals: -I’ve not used alyssum but have seen it used as edging on veggie beds. -Marigold and zinnia are pretty and I did not realize they were good veggie companions.

[@GrowVeg]

All such valuable veg garden flowers for sure. :-)

[@karlchance3717]

Hello Ben. Hope you and Rosie are well. Just wanted to say that I love your common sense approach. A lovely way to garden. Keep Em coming.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much Karl. Will keep them coming I promise. :-)

[@BridgetOrman]

WONDERFUL TIPS THANKS BEN

[@themoorlandsallotment7159]

I enjoyed that video. What's a garden without flowers.

[@priscillajoseph765]

I'm very pleased Tim that you included flowers to encourage our pollinating insects. Very Interesting, thank you for sharing!

[@GrowVeg]

You're very welcome Priscilla - thank you so much for watching.

[@catfunksfabulousfinds]

Love your videos. They really remind of things to grow, some I've forgotten about. I get so focused on the vegetables I often forget to plant flowers in the garden as I have many in the yard. But they do help a lot as I plant lots of tomatoes. When I first moved to my 1.5 acre country property in Jan. 2003 I was focused on remodeling the house. It was an unusual warmer than normal year here in Oregon US Zone 8b. I was amazed the property had several Calendula blooming in late January in the front old rock raised flowerbeds. I took it as a good sign. They lasted several years and then died out. I'm going to plant some this year as your video has reminded me of good memories of I had a lot more plans and a lot more energy back then to get all these projects done. Thank you & Happy growing season to everyone!

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you - good memories! Good luck with the flowers! :-)

[@darlenebradley6756]

Calendula can also be used to make salves and other medicinals. I plant marigolds every year...but I collect flower heads and start them indoors every year. (It helps me handle that "desperate impatience" that overtakes most of us every year!) I have 'Mary Garden' that is devoted to the lovely zinnia every year. I always plant lots so I have some for cutting. I also have cone flowers, daylilies, and hostas scattered around my vegetable garden just for the variety. I'm going to give some space to the herbs you talked about . I've never really gotten much going in the herb department, so this will be the year. I loved the display of the snow drops at the beginning of this video. I have a stand of these in my yard that I started from bulbs I dug up when I moved from my last home. I've tried to naturalize them beneath my apple trees, along with some jonquils, grape hyacinths, and crocus for early flowers. (I planted a miniature 'orchard' of dwarf apple trees a couple of years ago so still waiting on them to reach fruiting size.) While spring bulbs don't do much for bees (except for tulips) they do lift one's spirits! Your enthusiasm is downright infectious! And reading the comments here provides quite a lot of inspiration as well. I'm so glad to have found your channel! (And your dog is so cute!)

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for watching Darlene. Your garden sounds beautiful. :-)

[@priscillajoseph765]

Thank you Tim for another great insight into good gardening 👌

[@sweetpeasbackyardgarden1236]

I planted calendula last season so I’m looking forward to seeing how they grow this growing cycle. Last week, I planted some nasturtiums in a pot. But, I lost them because it was too cold. Temps dropped to 28 degrees in California. I’ll try again when it gets warmer.

[@GrowVeg]

Always worth chancing an early sowing, as you can always sow again.

[@josiebridges3583]

What a wonderful video to watch while having coffee in bed on my 75th birthday. I'm direct sowing borage and an edible flower mix. I just l(ov)ike your new garden.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much Josie. And a very happy birthday to you - many congratulations! :-)

[@lynnjasmine3216]

I will be so glad when it gets warmer at night. Still upper 20's-lòwer 30's at night. Next week will be better!!!

[@RelentlessHomesteading]

Ohh the time to plant is nearing. Very enjoyable and encouraging - wanted to get more flowers in there.

[@libertyhawq1766]

Ben, your garden is looking very nice! Love your videos...especially when your puppy does cameos!

[@GrowVeg]

She's never far away! :-)

[@JohnHenrySheridan]

Great video thank you !

[@iamthewelcher]

That greenhouse is pretty darn sweet! I'll be following this advice directly for this season.. thanks!!

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers for watching!

[@louiseking9726]

Just found your channel, am absolutely loving it! Just what I was looking for and you should be on tv, your passion and enthusiasm are infectious.

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased you've found the channel Louise - a very warm welcome to you!

[@carilynn7043]

Borage is one i hope to grow this year.

[@MSteele]

Delightful! Thank you so much for your wonderful videos and for sharing your puppy. Sending love and light

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much :-)

[@steve20664]

Excellent video again gold star first class, I’ve got all 3 calendula, poached egg, and nasturtiums ready to plant out. Going for giant 🌻 sunflowers too.....

[@GrowVeg]

Sunflowers are fab - they'll definitely add some cheer.

[@christinebrooks6364]

Great video of seed sowing and specification on which plants are good for troublesome pests too 🙂 thanks for sharing and take care 🙂

[@trapped7534]

Thanks again Ben, God Bless!!

[@cbak1819]

Growing amaranth hyssop, alyssum for the first time..

[@GrowVeg]

Lovely flowers!

[@myhillsidegarden3998]

I always get such inspiration from your videos. You always are so positive and share such great tips on how to be a better gardener. Be safe and stay well. Catherine

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much Catherine, really appreciate that. Here's to a fantastic growing season!

[@albshonuff]

Planting herbs and peas this season. I'm a 1st timer. Your video are very helpful especially the garden start up.

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased to hear that. Hope you have a great harvest. :-)

[@cheryldouglas234]

Thank you for sharing all your wonderful information ❤️❤️❤️😊

[@manonguinchard5829]

Nasturtium is one of my favorite flowers to grow in my vegetable garden 😍 I also want to plant some calendula, marigolds, some cosmos and zinnias and many more !

[@hbrws813]

I always learn so much from your videos! Thank you!

[@Ramavit]

Thanks! Your videos are a blast! I still have time to think what to plant, as it’s -4 C and snowing. Never grew annuals from seed, but after this inspiration, I’ll try marigolds and nasturtiums. Maybe divide the chive clump to grow some just for the flowers, it’s such a productive plant.

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds like a plan - chives are very easy to divide and great to spread about the garden.

[@alexiswilliams4721]

This video inspired me to plant some of the flowers in and around my veggie patch two years ago and also around the garden. Nasturtiums were a massive success and self propagated ever since, the Calendula was also great and I now save the seeds every Autumn which are plentiful and they also serve me again. The poached egg plant never really seemed to like my garden and although I did get a few growing most of them didn't flower but I am persevering with them. This year I have Zinnias and Alyssum seeds to try too, I love French Marigolds and grow them every year, especially near my veg and they are great under tomato plants alongside Basil. I save the seeds from the FM too even though people say they won't regrow but they always do for me and I usually buy one packet of fresh seeds just in case, one of my favourite flowers and essential for my garden

[@bartcop2742]

I'm glad you mentioned Dill. I've heard it attracts many helpful bugs to your garden.

[@thenaturalhuman9568]

Marigolds arena favorite of butterflies.. i did not see our honeybees go after the marigolds much, but they absolutely loved the squash and pumpkin flowers, a gold mine of pollen in those

[@GrowVeg]

A real goldmine of pollen - loads in those flowers!

[@angelafarr6404]

another delightful video full of information without all the blahblahblah. Love your channel!

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you so much Angela.

[@patriciachapman1687]

Wow how Great a video. Informative and precise. Thank you!

[@mwmingram]

Great video. Thanks Ben.