Day: August 13, 2022

Allotment Flowers

Allotments are generally used for growing fruit and vegetables but why should we be growing allotment flowers? Here we will explain why it is important that we should be growing allotment flowers and which flowers it is best to grow in the allotment.

Introduction:

Within the vibrant tapestry of allotment gardening, the cultivation of flowers not only adds a splash of color but also contributes to the overall health and harmony of the garden ecosystem. Allotment flowers go beyond mere aesthetics, attracting pollinators, deterring pests, and creating a visually appealing haven for gardeners. From cheerful blooms that invite beneficial insects to practical companion plants that support vegetable growth, the presence of flowers in allotments is a testament to the symbiotic relationship between flora and food production.

This exploration invites you to delve into the enchanting world of allotment flowers, where beauty meets functionality. From planning and planting to understanding the ecological benefits, we embark on a journey to appreciate the role flowers play in creating a thriving, balanced, and visually pleasing allotment space. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice with a passion for blooms, discover how allotment flowers become integral contributors to the success and beauty of communal gardening endeavors.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

Gardening With Ben Podcasts

Did you know that I am an award-winning podcaster winning the award for best Gardening Podcast in the Grow your Own Magazine Awards 2021. You can listen to our regular gardening podcasts on any platform Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Alexa plus lots more – search Gardening with Ben and you will find my podcasts. You can listen to my latest podcast below:-

Why is it important to grow allotment flowers?

As we mentioned above if you go to visit allotments you will often see a garden full of fruit and vegetable plants which will mainly be a mass of green colour growing in the garden. You won’t see many flowers growing apart from the odd squash flower or runner bean flowers. This is what used to happen on my allotment but when I realised I should be growing flowers as well this soon changed on my kitchen garden.

The reason why we should be growing allotment flowers is that it will obviously add a lot of beautiful colours to a green allotment and brighten it all up It will however attract the pollinators to the allotment. By attracting the pollinators to your garden you will help gain yourself more produce in your allotment garden. Attracting the bees to your allotment flowers will help them on their way to finding your squash flowers, your fruit blossom, or your tomato flowers.

If we did not attract the bees to the allotment flowers and if we had no bees whatsoever you would have to go round and do what the bees do and pollinate all the flowers on your crops yourself to get some fresh organic produce.

What flowers can you grow on your allotment

There are many flowers you can grow on your allotment to add lots of colour and attract the bees and the butterflies but I have some favorite flowers which I grow on my allotment, ones that I would grow every year myself from seed. You can obviously have annual or perennial allotment flowers. I tend to have stuck with annual allotment flowers but I am starting to purchase more and more perennial allotment flowers.

Best Allotment Flowers

There are many types of flowers to grow in the allotment we can not name them all but we are going to name some of our favorite ones that we grow in our allotment which are really easy to grow and have great success.

Calendula

These are my absolute favorite to grow in the allotment. However, once you grow them you probably won’t be able to get rid of them! Some people say they are like weeds but weeds are only plants that grow in the wrong place. Calendula can add some amazing color to your garden and allotment adding an array of beautiful orange and yellow flowers to it. Once the flowers die off they will create seed heads that you can store and sow the year after – if you leave them too long they will burst their seeds everywhere and you will be getting them pop up everywhere. I would highly recommend these on the allotment the bees will absolutely love them.

Sunflowers

Did you know that sunflowers come in all different sizes and colors? This is something I did not know till recently as I learn more and more about flowers. I originally thought that they just came in the standard yellow color. However, you can get them in yellow, orange, red, and even black. You can even get different size sunflowers so if you don’t want to grow some massive ones that will take a ladder to get to the top and tie it to a cane. You can get dwarf ones that look as good as tall ones. Sunflowers are one of the best flowers to grow for the bees, when the head dies cut the top off and hang it to dry, do not leave it on a shed bench like I previously did or the rats will eat all the seeds.

Cornflowers

Cornflowers can often come in white, blue, and purple, these are flowers that you will find in wild seeds packets or as individual seeds, these will add amazing colour to any border. I have grown these around three years running now and had great success. You can either start them off in a greenhouse in March. If you don’t have a greenhouse or shed you can sow them straight into the ground when the weather warms up towards the end of May.

Poppies

Poppies are amazing allotment flowers, you can get them in plenty of different colors from red, yellow, and orange. The best thing about poppies is that once the flowers have finished they will leave a seed head and you can dry that out and sprinkle the seeds around your garden for lots more flowers and blooms in the garden the year after.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums like cornflowers are easy to grow from seed, the seeds are also very cheap and you will get plenty in the packet to start off growing. They are nice beautiful yellow flowers. The more you deadhead them as they die off the more they will continue to bloom all summer till frost.

Geraniums

For the past couple of years, I have grown geraniums from seed for the allotment rather than purchasing them. The reason behind this is that they are extremely easy to grow and save you a lot of money. You can start them growing in March and you will get flowers on them the same year. One thing I did not know about geraniums is that if you dig them up at the end of the year and pot them up, place them in your shed they will continue to stay alive till the year after and you will get more blooms. If you leave them outside the frost will kill them off.

Gladioli

These trumpet flowers are a great addition to any border in the garden and allotment, however, you need to make sure they are either near some fencing, or you have plenty of canes around to fasten them up, weight of the flowers. Gladioli are summer blooming corns ( a bit like bulbs but not). If you live somewhere where it gets extremely cold and the ground gets frozen in winter you are then best to dig the corns up after they have flowered and let them dry out and store them till next year to replant.

Gladioli come in lots of different colors from reds, yellows, whites, purples, pinks plus lots more. These will certainly brighten up any garden adding some beautiful color.

Conclusion:

As we conclude our exploration into the world of allotment flowers, it becomes evident that these blossoms are not mere embellishments but vital components in the intricate dance of nature within communal gardening spaces. From the cheerful blooms that sway in the breeze to the practical companions that support vegetable growth, allotment flowers contribute to both the aesthetics and functionality of the garden.

The presence of flowers in allotments is a celebration of biodiversity, attracting pollinators and beneficial insects that play a crucial role in the overall health of the garden ecosystem. Beyond their visual allure, these blooms serve as indicators of a balanced and thriving gardening environment.

May the fragrance of blossoms and the sight of vibrant colors continue to enhance the communal gardening experience. As gardeners tend to their allotments, let the presence of flowers be a reminder of the interconnectedness of nature, where beauty and functionality harmonize to create not only a visually appealing but also a bountiful and ecologically sound space.

Here’s to the ongoing journey of cultivating allotment flowers, where every bloom tells a story of collaboration between nature and nurturing hands. Happy gardening!

Top 10 Questions and Answers on Allotment Flowers

1. Q: What types of flowers are suitable for allotments?

• A: Various flowers thrive in allotments, including marigolds, sunflowers, lavender, cosmos, zinnias, and calendula. Choose based on your preferences and local growing conditions.

1. Q: Can I grow flowers alongside vegetables in my allotment?

• A: Yes, interplanting flowers with vegetables is beneficial. Some flowers act as companion plants, attracting pollinators and deterring pests.

1. Q: How do I prepare the soil for planting flowers in my allotment?

• A: Ensure well-draining soil by adding organic matter like compost. Break up compacted soil and remove weeds to create a favorable environment for flower growth.

1. Q: When is the best time to plant flowers in my allotment?

• A: The ideal time depends on the flower type. Some can be sown directly in the soil in spring, while others may require starting indoors or planting in late fall.

1. Q: How do I attract pollinators to my allotment with flowers?

• A: Plant flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, such as lavender, bee balm, and sunflowers. Avoid using pesticides harmful to pollinators.

1. Q: Can I use flowers for companion planting to deter pests in my allotment?

• A: Yes, flowers like marigolds, nasturtiums, and calendula can help repel pests and attract beneficial insects, contributing to a healthier allotment ecosystem.

1. Q: Should I deadhead flowers in my allotment, and why?

• A: Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, encourages continuous blooming and prevents plants from setting seeds, directing energy into new growth and blooms.

1. Q: How do I care for cut flowers harvested from my allotment?

• A: Harvest flowers in the morning, place them in water immediately, and remove excess foliage. Change the water regularly and keep them in a cool, shaded area.

1. Q: What are some low-maintenance flowers suitable for allotments?

• A: Low-maintenance flowers include marigolds, geraniums, cosmos, and rudbeckia. These can thrive with minimal care and still offer vibrant blooms.

1. Q: Are there specific considerations for growing perennial flowers in an allotment?
   • A: Perennials, like daylilies and coneflowers, require well-draining soil and may need dividing every few years to maintain vigor. Consider the mature size of perennials when planning.

These questions and answers provide insights into successfully growing flowers in allotments, creating vibrant and pollinator-friendly spaces.

We hope you have found these tips useful on the best allotment flowers to grow in your allotment itch garden. Add some beautiful colors to your allotment rather than it just being all green. Attract the bees to your allotment and help the pollinators.

If you are looking for advice on the best cut flowers to grow at the allotment check out this page.