10 Stunning Small Flower Garden Against House Ideas

10. Creating an Edible Flower Garden: Beauty Meets Function

Let me tell you about my journey into the wonderful world of edible flower gardening. What started as a tiny experiment along my house foundation has turned into one of my favorite gardening projects ever!

Choosing the Right Edible Flowers

I learned pretty quickly that not every pretty flower belongs in your salad! My first attempt at edible gardening taught me an important lesson – always research before you plant. Some of my go-to favorites now include nasturtiums, pansies, and calendula. These beauties aren’t just gorgeous; they’re absolutely delicious and super easy to grow.

The trick is to create what I call “eating zones” – areas where you know everything is safe for consumption. Trust me, this saves a lot of confusion later! I organize my garden with companion planting principles, placing edible flowers next to vegetables that benefit from their presence.

Integrating Herbs and Vegetables

Here’s where things get really interesting! I’ve found that mixing culinary herbs like basil, thyme, and oregano with edible flowers creates this amazing sensory experience. The combination of colors, textures, and fragrances is absolutely incredible.

My favorite combo? Purple basil growing alongside orange nasturtiums – not only does it look stunning against the house, but both are edible and perfect for garnishing summer dishes. I learned that marigolds aren’t just pretty – they actually help protect your vegetables from pests!

Managing Seasonal Rotations

Let’s talk about keeping your edible garden productive year-round. I’ve developed what I call the “three-season strategy“:

• Spring: Start with viola and chive blossoms
• Summer: Transition to borage and bee balm
• Fall: Finish strong with chrysanthemums and dianthus

The key is planning your succession planting carefully. I keep a simple garden journal to track what works best in each season. This has been a game-changer for maintaining continuous blooms and harvests.

Maintenance Tips for Success

After years of trial and error, I’ve discovered some foolproof maintenance strategies:

1. Deadhead regularly – this keeps the flowers coming and prevents unwanted seeding
2. Practice organic gardening methods since you’ll be eating these beauties
3. Water at the base of plants to prevent flower damage
4. Create clear walking paths to make harvesting easier

One mistake I made early on? Planting everything too close together. Now I give each plant proper spacing, which has dramatically improved air circulation and reduced disease problems.

Remember, an edible flower garden isn’t just about growing food – it’s about creating a beautiful, functional space that brings joy to both your eyes and your plate. Start small, experiment with different combinations, and don’t be afraid to try new varieties. The best part? Every season brings new opportunities to learn and grow!

I’ve found that maintaining about 3-4 feet of space along the house foundation is perfect for an edible flower garden. This gives you enough room for a nice variety while keeping everything within easy reach for maintenance and harvesting. Just make sure you’re choosing plants that work with your specific light conditions – most edible flowers prefer full sun to partial shade.

Conclusion

Creating a stunning flower garden against your house isn’t just about beautifying your space – it’s about crafting an outdoor sanctuary that reflects your style and enhances your home’s character. Remember to consider your local climate, maintenance preferences, and house architecture when choosing your design. Ready to transform that blank canvas along your foundation? Start with one of these ideas and watch your garden dreams bloom into reality!