April showers bring May flowers – so the saying goes. Here in Calgary, it feels like a stretch, but there are many early blooming plants such as Prairie Crocus and Hepatica, and micro-bulbs such as Siberian Squill and Crocus that will happily flower in May.
Flowers exist in the world of edible plants as well. In some cases, we eat those flowers – squash blooms come to mind. Although all parts of the broccoli plant are edible (don’t throw away those stems!), the focus is on the green florets mounding at the top, which are in fact undeveloped flower buds.
In some instances, the presence of flowers means plants have bolted. Crops like rhubarb, lettuce, chard, and radish are great examples. Bolting occurs when the plant is more mature and the temperatures have increased, leading to edible portions with a bitter taste. Bolting can be avoided by planting early to ensure cooler conditions, and by choosing cultivars known to be slow to bolt.
For other edibles, the flowers are what give rise to the fruit which is what we hope to harvest. Examples include peas, beans, tomatoes, as well as tree and bush fruit such as currants, cherries, and apples. Not all flowers will appear in May, but they all play a role in our edible gardens.
To see examples of all these crops, why not stop by the CKE Community Garden!
Happy Gardening!
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