Cleburne County, AL – Every spring, once the danger of frost has passed, I sow my favorite seeds. Before planting any vegetable crops, I focus on sowing flowers that attract pollinators. I want bees and butterflies to swarm my garden before the vegetables begin their journey, and I’ve found great success in my harvests because I dedicate time to supporting pollination.
My first step each year is amending the soil using my organic soil recipe from 1998. (If you’d like this recipe, you’re welcome to request it at the email provided below.)
If I find a stem that isn’t fresh enough to go into a vase, I hang it upside down in my shed to dry. Once dried, I store these stems in paper sacks indoors. These stored seeds become the beginning of next year’s planting adventure.
In addition to attracting pollinators, these colorful blooms provide plenty of filler for my summer dahlias and make perfect additions to flower vases. Growing pollinator-friendly flowers not only supports my vegetable garden—it fills my home with beauty all season long.
Betty Clark is a contributing writer. She has been an organic gardener since 1998. The signature flower she grows is Dahlias. She has a straw bale garden, a raised bed garden, and an in-ground garden. Both her surnames are from agricultural farming families (8 generations). Her hobbies include ancestry research, antiques, continued education classes, and workshops. She also has a background in marketing & promotions, including expos. To contact Betty Clark with gardening questions: bettyclark2151959@gmail.com