06/13/2026
🌼 More Than Just Pretty Flowers 🌼
One of the most important crops on our farm isn't a vegetable at all. It's flowers.
Marigolds, zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, echinacea, and other flowering plants play a vital role in supporting pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths, and even hummingbirds. Without these hardworking visitors, many of the fruits and vegetables we enjoy would produce fewer blooms, fewer fruits, and lower yields.
Marigolds are one of my favorites because they do double duty. Not only do they provide nectar for pollinators, but they can also help attract beneficial insects that prey on common garden pests. Their bright blooms add beauty to the garden while supporting a healthier growing environment.
By planting a variety of flowers throughout the garden, we're creating a continuous food source for pollinators from spring through fall. Every bee that visits a flower today helps support tomorrow's harvest.
A healthy garden isn't just about what we grow. It's about creating an ecosystem where plants, insects, animals, and people all work together.
So if you're planning next year's garden, leave a little room for the flowers. Your pollinators will thank you, and your vegetables will too. 🐝🦋🌻
📸 Bonus tip: Marigolds make excellent companion plants around tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and beans, adding both color and pollinator activity right where it's needed most. 🌼🐝
