This plant is an annual that self seeds very readily. It can be used in companion planting to attract hoverflies, whose larva eats aphids. Bees are attracted to the sweet aroma of Alyssum.
Showing posts with label companion planting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label companion planting. Show all posts
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum or Lobularia maritima is a member of the mustard family. Like other brassicas Sweet Alyssum's leaves and flowers are edible with a typical pungent flavor.
This plant is an annual that self seeds very readily. It can be used in companion planting to attract hoverflies, whose larva eats aphids. Bees are attracted to the sweet aroma of Alyssum.
This plant is an annual that self seeds very readily. It can be used in companion planting to attract hoverflies, whose larva eats aphids. Bees are attracted to the sweet aroma of Alyssum.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Geranium, Rosemary and Fava Beans
Geranium, Rosemary, and Fava Beans are three of the edibles I have growing at my place right now.
Geranium flowers are edible and have a very pleasant tart flavor. I have this plant outside and it seems to be handling the cold pretty well, it is rated for USDA zone 9b and I live in 8B/9A. It is used in companion planting to paralyze the Japanese Beetle.
Rosemary is a well known herb who's leaves go very well with meats and in dressings. The flowers of rosemary are edible as well, they have a sweet flavor with the typical rosemary overtone. Making a tea from rosemary is an excellent remedy for headaches, which my wife can attest to. Gardening rosemary as a perennial is possible down to USDA zone 7. In companion planting rosemary is used to aid cabbage, beans, and carrots by helping to repel their pests.
I planted these fava beans by seed in November. They make a nice winter or spring crop as they prefer cool weather to hot. Both the leaves and beans are edible. Some people may have a genetic enzyme deficiency that causes them to be allergic to fava beans. If you've never eaten these before don't indulge your first time.
Nutritional Value of Fava beans per 1 cup:
Calories - 187 or 9% DV
Protein - 12.6 g or 26% DV
Carbohydrates - 33.4g or 11% DV
Sugars - 3.1g
Dietary Fiber - 9.2g or 37% DV
Fat - 0.7g or 1% DV
Fava Beans are a significant source of Folate, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorous, copper, and manganese.
The Estimated Glycemic load is 13.
Geranium flowers are edible and have a very pleasant tart flavor. I have this plant outside and it seems to be handling the cold pretty well, it is rated for USDA zone 9b and I live in 8B/9A. It is used in companion planting to paralyze the Japanese Beetle.
Rosemary is a well known herb who's leaves go very well with meats and in dressings. The flowers of rosemary are edible as well, they have a sweet flavor with the typical rosemary overtone. Making a tea from rosemary is an excellent remedy for headaches, which my wife can attest to. Gardening rosemary as a perennial is possible down to USDA zone 7. In companion planting rosemary is used to aid cabbage, beans, and carrots by helping to repel their pests.
I planted these fava beans by seed in November. They make a nice winter or spring crop as they prefer cool weather to hot. Both the leaves and beans are edible. Some people may have a genetic enzyme deficiency that causes them to be allergic to fava beans. If you've never eaten these before don't indulge your first time.
Nutritional Value of Fava beans per 1 cup:
Calories - 187 or 9% DV
Protein - 12.6 g or 26% DV
Carbohydrates - 33.4g or 11% DV
Sugars - 3.1g
Dietary Fiber - 9.2g or 37% DV
Fat - 0.7g or 1% DV
Fava Beans are a significant source of Folate, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorous, copper, and manganese.
The Estimated Glycemic load is 13.
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