1. Organic Flower Growing
I never thought I would say this......
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

2. What we will be talking about
Why do it?
The basics – annuals
The basics – perennials
Bulbs
Propagation
Edible flowers
Medicinal flowers
A couple of warnings
Using edible flowers
Making a flower tower
What we will be talking about
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

3. Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Confuse pests
Attract pollinators and other beneficial insects
Environmental impact
Improve garden biodiversity
Some flowers are edible
Some have medicinal properties
Companion planting
It looks pretty
Why do it?
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

4. Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Similar to veggies
Need 6 hours a day of sunlight
Prepare the beds with compost and other organics
Mulch well
Include in veggie beds
Use botanicals for dusts
and sprays
The basics - Annuals
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

5. The Basics - Perennials
Last (and produce flowers for) a number of years
Locate with plenty of sun, protected from frost and wind
Prepare bed deeply – double dig
Mulch and feed with well rotted manure in spring
Stake if needed
Prune as required
Plant in clumps for effect
The Basics - Perennials
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

6. Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Can be grown outdoors, indoors or in containers
Daffodils, jonquils & hyacinths
Tulip bulbs are edible as are most lilies – some used in Chinese cuisine
Depth of planting varies with bulb size
Fertilise with well rotten manure and manure tea just before flowering
Will produce “bulbils”
Lift after foliage dies down
Bulbs
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

7. Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Sow seed into punnets
Place punnets into greenhouse
When up, transplant into newspaper pots
Plant out into bed
or veggie garden
Propagation
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

8. Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Anise Hyssop
Arabian Jasmine
Bee Balm
Tuberous begonias
Borage
Carnations
Chamomile
Chrysanthemum
Citrus blossom
Cornflower
Day lilies
Elder flowers
English Daisy
Hibiscus
Lilac
Marigolds
Nasturtiums
Pinks (Dianthus)
Roses
Scented Geraniums
Violas, Pansies
Violets
Edible flowers
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

9. Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Arnica
Calendula
Californian Poppy
Chamomile
Dandelion
Echinacea
Honeysuckle
Lavender
Valerian
Yarrow
Medicinal flowers
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

10. Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Before adding to your menu make sure –
Your identification is absolutely, positively correct
The flowers were grown organically
A Couple of Warnings
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

11. How to Use Edible Flowers
Add to salads
Add to salsa
Stuff and deep fry
Use to top canapés
Candy then use to decorate
cakes, biscuits, ice cream etc.
Add to pilaf and stir fries
Add to cakes and biscuits
How to Use Edible Flowers
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

12. Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
The Flower Tower
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

13. Making the Flower Tower
Mark off the positions
Make cuts with hand or power saw
Use heat gun to soften plastic
Mould cuts to form bays
Let cool
Sink 500mm into ground
Fill with growing medium
Plant out
Consider terracotta pot in the top for water
Making the Flower Tower
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

14. For more details check our website
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
For more details check our website