Do you grow anything besides food?

One question I received recently was, “Can I grow things in my garden that aren’t food plants?” And the answer is an enthusiastic absolutely! There is a wide range of reasons to grow plants beyond just food, and oftentimes, plants that aren’t directly edible can contribute to the garden ecosystem in their own special way.

Flowers
Flowers are a fantastic addition to any garden. First of all, many of them are not only edible but can also be beautifully added as a garnish to an array of dishes or delightful salads. Secondly, they play a vital role in attracting a diverse variety of pollinators to your garden. We rely heavily on these incredible pollinators for their assistance in helping our food grow, so inviting flowers into your space is a wonderful way to welcome the local ecology to participate in our food system. Lastly, it can be a true joy to appreciate the bright colors and the natural wonder that flowers provide. You can cut them and bring their vibrant beauty indoors in a lovely vase, brightening your living space.

Soil Improvers
Some plants act as nitrogen fixers, which means they have the unique ability to take nitrogen from the air and feed the soil food web. Even though we might not directly consume these particular plants, they will play a crucial role in providing essential nutrition for our next round of edible plants. This can be achieved through the use of cover crops or through the planting of perennial plants. One of my personal favorites is a ground-covering ceanothus, which is a beautiful California native plant known for its stunning blue flowers and its ability to fix nitrogen into the soil. While we aren’t eating it directly, it certainly serves as a key component in maintaining our garden ecosystem.

Native Plants
Sometimes we choose to plant for the sake of the ecosystem rather than solely for our own food. We always like to designate some space in our gardens for native plants. Many of our local plants and animals are struggling due to habitat loss, so any opportunity we have to give them a portion of their habitat back is genuinely welcomed. Plus, you never know what fascinating garden creature might grace you with its presence when you provide them the opportunity to thrive. Endangered butterflies like the colorful Monarch, the elusive PV Blue, or the charming El Segundo Blue might flutter into your garden and add even more life to your space. While we certainly love to grow our own food, it’s perfectly okay to mix in a few other things that support the local environment as well!