I had planned on buying some flowering annual starts for some pots and hanging baskets that I have in the yard. I have now rethought that idea and am now planning to plant edible flowers from seeds in those containers. As it is now the 3rd week of March, and I haven't started any seeds indoors, I went looking for quick-to-grow flowers. Nasturtiums came up on the list.
I know from past experience that they do grow well in my yard and we enjoy them added to cooking. The flowers, petals, and seed pods are all edible. They can be added to egg dishes, salads, used in place of lettuce on sandwiches, or sauteed with other veggies. The leaves and petals are peppery in taste.
According to WebMD, nasturtiums contain Vitamin C and may help fight bacteria, viruses, fungi, and tumors. As with all foods, they may pose health complications for some people. WebMD specifically cautions against ingestion of nasturtiums for those with kidney disease.
Nasturtiums are easy to grow, requiring with minimal care. Some say they thrive on neglect. For about $2, I can buy a packet of 20 to 25 seeds, enough that I hope will fill about 5 baskets or small pots with nasturtium plants. These should save money over buying flowering annual starts and provide some edibles for our meals. One question -- should I take the seeds out of the gardening budget or the food budget?
Anyone else grow edible flowers?
