Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: dmg on January 05, 2013, 21:38

Title: flowers in veg plot
Post by: dmg on January 05, 2013, 21:38

I would like to plant annual flowers to top and tail the veg beds. Are there any flower variety's to avoid or will clash when doing a 4 yr veg rotation?

Thanks
Dmg

Title: Re: flowers in veg plot
Post by: Yorkie on January 05, 2013, 22:08

I have a feeling that clover might be a member of one veg family (pea / beans?).  And mustard is a brassica.   Obviously, sweet peas are pea family too.

But otherwise I think most annuals are OK.  Just be aware that many self-seed  :D

Title: Re: flowers in veg plot
Post by: mumofstig on January 05, 2013, 23:26

A list of compatible and incompatible plants here  :)
http://www.howtogardenadvice.com/garden_info/companion_planting_chart.html

Title: Re: flowers in veg plot
Post by: dmg on January 06, 2013, 00:20

Thanks Yorkie + Mum
dmg

Title: Re: flowers in veg plot
Post by: Trillium on January 06, 2013, 00:48

One plant I'd avoid is cosmos. While a lovely plant and bees love it, they can get quite large and in the way.

Title: Re: flowers in veg plot
Post by: Living in Hope on January 06, 2013, 08:10

My plan it to have a cutting garden patch and my rough plan is:

2 areas both underplanted with tulips
Plot 1 yr 1: annuals, followed by biennials grown from seed that spring/summer
Plot 2 yr 1: bienniels overwinted, followed by autumn/winter salad etc. crops

I aslo grow marigolds (calendula officinale) amongst my brassicas and nasteriums amongst the legumes.

Don't know if this helps

Title: Re: flowers in veg plot
Post by: tallulah on January 08, 2013, 20:00

Well my sort of gardening is more along the lines of fitting the vegetables in amongst the flowers and shrubs!  I can't do without my flowers, but also can't do without my veg!  So I'm aiming for a traditional cottage garden type of layout - I've not come across any particular problems so far - size of flower/plant and nutritional needs are of consideration of course, as you will not want your veggies to be malnourished.  :)

Title: Re: flowers in veg plot
Post by: Growster... on January 08, 2013, 20:24

Bed of Sweet Williams - can't be missed!

Try two, and get them next year as well!

Title: Re: flowers in veg plot
Post by: Hamani on January 13, 2013, 11:08

Clover and mustards are all part of the brassica family, so just be aware that they can cause problems if not rotated properly. Otherwise you should be fine.

If you activley want to grow beneficial plants next to eachother, like marigolds next to tomatoes, then there's a wealth of information on 'companion planting' out on the internet.

- Gary.

Title: Re: flowers in veg plot
Post by: mrsbean on January 29, 2013, 20:36

my plot is quite big so i can afford to plant lots of flowers sweet william to divide between veg. poached egg  flower for bees. i made a mistake 3yrs ago putting nasturtium among the brassicas they took over and i,m still  pulling them up, tall chrysanthemum make a wind break, roses like it amongst friut bushes, gladiolus grow happy anywhere. wallflower i think can get blight.dahlia, lilies i grow for cut flowers. iris grow round my pond.

Title: Re: flowers in veg plot
Post by: miggs on January 30, 2013, 07:47

I will be looking to put flowers in with the veg. What I am thinking about is a bed of veg, then a bed or row of flowers. I have just bought 4 off Dahlias and I am looking at Coreopsis as well.

Title: Re: flowers in veg plot
Post by: compostqueen on January 30, 2013, 11:57

I love cosmos!  I sow loads for the plot but generally for pots around the shed door.  I do a pink mix which is about 18".  Looks fab :)

Title: Re: flowers in veg plot
Post by: devonbarmygardener on February 09, 2013, 19:47

Marigolds - vital to bean and greens beds. :)

I have Daffodils on the bottom of my plot - they were planted by the previous owners -that was over 9 years ago and they still come up.

Also some primroses and forgetmenot appeared - mysteriously :D - watch forgetmenot though as it gets rampant!

Otherwise I have a central bed for annuals and perennials to being the pollinators in.