True Spring and sleepy winter buds have burst open in a puff of pollen.
Eyes itchy with pollen haven’t ruined my spring bike rides, the ravenous awakening of snails and slugs are a challenge rather than a cause of despair. Warmer mornings and stepping out of the office into sunlit evenings are indeed a recipe for sparkly eyes and spirits. Even my homemade kombucha is thrilled, its weak winter fizz substituted with an almost volcanic effervescence. My fragile winter attitude has been composted.
What is really exciting is that all those flowers promise not only momentary fragrance and beauty but delicious fruit. It’s a beginning that is not only glorious for what it is but what it will be. So I decided to try and keep that feeling going all year. The challenge? A year of flowers in the edible garden. The end game is to have as much colour and joy as I can coax into life in winter as I can. The rules only flowers from a plant that is at least partly edible, bonus points if the flowers can be eaten. I’ll try and think of some recipes to post.
I’m starting with the easiest season, it’s going to get harder from here on out so I better start planning for the oven of summer and darkness of winter. Any suggestions for winter flowers or flowery treats would be awesome guys.
Fruit & vegetable flowers
If you struggle with pests like aphids you might try letting a few of your affected vegetables go to seed. Their nectar will attract beneficial insects which will lay their eggs on nearby plants. If all goes to plan their carnivorous larvae will take care of the pests.
Checkout those fabulous stripey pepino flowers! Which one is your favourite?
Culinary flowers
Medicinal & edible