How to Grow an Edible Flower Container Garden

Learn how nasturtiums — edible flowers — can make not only a beautiful addition to your home garden, but a tasty addition to a salad or mixed vegetable platter.

Excerpted from Ready, Set, Grow! by DK BooksDorling Kindersley
Filed under: Container Gardening, Gardening, How To

Nasturtiums Bloom in Unique Hanging Arrangement

Are nasturtiums a flower or a vegetable? They’re both! Their brightly colored flowers and shield-shaped leaves can all be eaten. So grow them in a hanging basket and surprise your friends by casually picking a leaf or two (rinse them under the faucet) and popping them in your mouth. However, remember to ask an adult before eating things from the garden! This project takes eight weeks to complete.

Materials Needed:

a bag with hanging straps
scissors (adult supervision required)
potting soil
slow-release fertilizer
watering can

nasturtium seeds
a plastic garbage bag
potting soil
airtight container

1. Prep the Bag

Prepare the bag by lining it with a garbage bag. Next, use scissors to snip holes in the base for water drainage. Snip through both the bag and the lining.

Straw Purses With Liner Make Great Hanging Baskets

2. Add Potting Soil

Mix some potting soil with a slow-release fertilizer. Use the mixture to fill the basket almost to the brim, ready to sow the seed. Water the soil and let it drain through.

3. Plant the Seeds

Make numerous 1/2-inch-deep holes around the basket and in the center. Be sure they are 4 inches (10 cm) apart. Place a seed into each hole and cover with soil.