01 March 2024 , 16:02
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An urban garden enthusiast has shared the biggest mistake beginners make when it comes to ‘growing your own.’ With 741k people watching her TikTok, user @kia_urbangardener said: “The biggest mistake beginner gardeners make when growing vegetables, and I’ve made this mistake myself, is not growing enough flowers in your vegetable garden.”
She then clarified why this part was so important: “What else will attract the bees if it’s not for the flowers? And you need the bees to get the vegetables, so next time you’re growing vegetables, make sure to plant some beneficial flowers,” she said, before revealing that Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Sunflowers and Lavender were just a few of the fabulous flowers that could be planted to keep the bees busy.
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Many of her followers were quick to agree with the gardening Queen Bee, with one saying: “It’s like an offering to the bees.” while another commented: “Marigolds are perfect for this. And Nasturtiums for edible flowers.”
However one said: “I have never planted flowers in my vegetable garden. All my veggies have turned out great for 50+ years,” while another admitted they were scared of bees. However Jade allayed their fears saying: “They shouldn’t hurt you though, they will be going straight fo the flowers, although you can self-pollinate as an alternative.”
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Self polination is, according to saferbrand.com, achieved by: “Taking a small paintbrush, toothbrush, or even cotton ball, and dabbing the stamen of one flower (the male bloom) to the central stalk (the stigma) of another, you can brush the collected pollen to the female. Make sure to cover all the surfaces around the middle part of the female flower.”