Edible Flowers and More Newsletter
Edible Flowers and More
Several questions about what plants are the best for attracting pollinators and other beneficial insects. Variety is the key but two especially good choices are
and
. Another group of plants that work in this category are the edible flowering plants. Here’s an update:
Eating flowers has been done throughout the world for centuries. Roses and orange flowers are commonly used in Middle Eastern and Persian foods; lilies are used in China; cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums are used in Japan; lavender is a favorite in England and France; and the Mediterranean countries enjoy saffron in their food.
Of course, not all flowers are edible — some are poisonous either naturally or from the use of toxic chemical pesticides.
Only eat flowers grown organically. Flowers from florists, nurseries, and traditional garden centers should not be eaten.
If your garden center is organic, eat away. After these plants have been under
in your garden, they should be good to eat.
RULES FOR EDIBLE FLOWERS OTHER PLANT PARTS
1. Not all flowers are edible. Some are poisonous. Learn the difference.
2. Eat flowers only when you are positive they are edible and non-toxic.
3. Eat only flowers that have been grown organically.
4. Do not eat flowers from florists, nurseries or garden centers unless you know they’ve been maintained organically.
5. Do not eat flowers if you have hay fever, asthma or allergies.
6. Do not eat flowers growing on the side of the road.
7. Remove pistils and stamens from flowers before eating. Eat only the petals of the larger flowers.
8. Introduce flowers into your diet the way you would new foods to a baby – one at a time in small quantities.
NOTE
: Pregnant women should avoid all strong herbs and no plant should be ingested in excess by anyone at anytime. Edible flowers can be used to enhance food at breakfast, lunch and dinner. They can also be used in teas. Here are some of the best edible flower choices and uses.
TREES
SHRUBS
GROUND COVERSClover
– tea from leaves and flowers
– teas and food flavoring
Gotu kola – tea from leaves
– food and teas from flowers and leaves
– teas and food flavoring
– leaves in salads and tea from flowers and leaves
PERENNIALSAnise hyssop
– edible flowers, foliage for tea
– edible berries, foliage for tea
– edible foliage and flowers
– edible flowers, greens and cloves
– edible flowers
– leaves for cooking with meats
– insect repellent and tea
– roots for food
– teas and insect repellent
– edible flowers and leaves for teas
– (yellow sorrel) leaves & flowers
– edible fruit
– all plant parts for teas
– food and tea from leaves and flowers
– petals and hips for tea
– edible flowers, foliage for teas
– food, flavoring and tea from leaves and flowers
– chopped and crushed foliage repels ants
– flowers & fruit for tea
ANNUALSAmaranthus
– edible leaves and seeds
To take this topic one step further, there are also parts of your vegetable crops, beyond just the crop itself, that can be eaten. This table of common veggie crops will help you decide if you want to eat more of the plant in the future (if you follow the organic program).
| Vegetable | Common Edible Parts | Other Edible Parts |
| Beans, snap | pod with seeds | leaves |
| Beans, lima | seeds | pods, leaves |
| Beets root | leaves | |
| Broccoli | flowers | leaves, flower stems |
| Carrot root | leaves | |
| Cauliflower | immature flowers | flower stem, leaves |
| Celery leaf | stems | leaves, seeds |
| Corn, sweet | seeds | young ears, unfurled tassel, young leaves |
| Cucumber | fruit with seeds | stem tips and young leaves |
| Eggplant | fruit with seeds | leaves edible but not flavorful |
| Kohlrabi | swollen stem | leaves |
| Okra | pods with seeds | leaves |
| Onions | root | young leaves |
| Parsley | tops | roots |
| Peas, English | seeds | pods, leaves |
| Peas, Southern | seeds, pods | young leaves |
| Pepper | pods | leaves after cooking, immature seeds |
| Potatoes, Sweet | roots | leaves and stem shoots |
| Radish roots | leaves | |
| Squash | fruit with seeds | seeds, flowers, young leaves |
| Tomato | fruits with seeds | |
| Turnip | roots, leaves | |
| Watermelon | fruit | rind of fruit |
To discuss this newsletter or any other topic, tune in each Sunday 8am – 11am central time to the Dirt Doctor Radio Show.The call-in phone number is 1-866-444-3478. Listen on the internet or click here to find a station in your area.
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Naturally yours,
Howard Garrett